Welcome to AMTRA
AMTRA is an independent regulatory body whose task it is to ensure that the prescription and supply of VPS animal medicines in the UK is undertaken in a responsible manner by AMTRA-qualified persons. Under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, AMTRA is the body appointed by the Secretary of State to keep a register of Suitably Qualified Persons. Find out more about AMTRA...
What is an SQP?
"Suitably Qualified Person" is the legal term for animal medicine advisors who form a category of professionally qualified people who are entitled to prescribe and/or supply certain veterinary medicines in the UK under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.
There are over 5200 SQPs. They include over 600 working in veterinary practices and increasing numbers of registered pet shop staff, suppliers of equine products, and those working in agricultural merchants and country stores.
Find out more about SQPs....
Looking for forms?
If you're already familiar with the system of becoming an SQP and are just looking for a particular form, you can now find them all in one place on our forms page.
CPD events
Where asked to do so by the CPD organiser, AMTRA will publish on its website information on accredited CPD seminars available to SQPs. Most seminars are publicised by other means. CPD events open to all SQPs.
Do you want to become an SQP?
If you are interested in becoming an SQP, to supply and/or prescribe medicines for pets, horses or farm animals, please read the page on becoming an SQP.
SQP students
If you are already training to become an SQP, please also study the page on becoming an SQP which summarises the next steps and provides easy access to the necessary forms and guidance.
Current SQPs
We've attempted to draw together summaries of key information relevant to current SQPs.
New Avian module
We've created a page drawing together information on the new avian SQP module which we hope addresses queries and directs people to further information. If you can't find the information you are looking for about the avian module, please contact us (details at the bottom of this page).
News from AMTRA
AMTRA responds to challenge to role of SQPs
6 February 2013
A challenge to the role of SQP animal medicines advisors by the British Veterinary Association is “without foundation”, according to the Secretary General of AMTRA. The large majority of SQPs deal with parasite control on a daily basis, having trained and been examined to a syllabus developed with BVA input. SQPs have to undertake compulsory continuing professional development, the majority of which includes good practice in parasite control. “Therefore AMTRA has every confidence that qualified SQPs have excellent knowledge of parasitology to advise their clients on the correct choice and use of anthelmintics.” More...
AMTRA celebrates its 5000th SQP
10 August 2012
We are celebrating our 5,000th SQP animal medicines advisor qualifying, as we deal with our largest ever batch of candidates. The number of SQPs has increased from 3,500 just three years ago. We are seeing growth in all four sectors of SQPs activity, with around 2,100 working in farm shops and country stores, 1,600 in pet shops, 750 in equines suppliers and 600 in veterinary practices. More...
First student passes Avian Module
9 August 2012
The first SQP animal medicine advisor has passed our new SQP Avian module. Jacqui Louth, who qualified as an SQP in 1999 and works for Hampshire-based saddlery Norris of Beaulieu, enrolled to add the new avian module to her qualification in March and has passed the exam, with others soon following her. More...
