Code of Practice
For the Registration of Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs)
to sell POM-VPS and NFA-VPS Medicines
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The DEFRA Code of Practice is issued by
the Secretary of State under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. It sets down
the standards that must be complied with by AMTRA, by SQPs who are registered
with AMTRA having passed the required examinations and who may therefore supply
veterinary medicinal products classified as POM-VPS and NFA-VPS, and by retail
businesses with premises that are registered to be able to hold and supply
veterinary medicinal products. |
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New Code of Practice from October 2007
The new Code of Practice came into force on 1
October 2007. AMTRA SQP examinations are always based upon the Code of Practice
currently in force.
There are only 3 significant changes from the
previous Code - paragraph numbers refer to the new Code:
1. New paragraph (25) allows SQPs to supply
(dispense) VPS medicines "off label" when prescribed by a veterinary surgeon. In
that event the medicine must be labelled in accordance with the appropriate
paragraph in the Regulations – which is set out for you below:-
Unless the veterinary surgeon
who prescribed the veterinary medicinal product supplies the product himself
and administers it to the animal himself, the person supplying it must label
it (or ensure that it is labelled) with at least the following information—
(a) the name and address of
the pharmacy, veterinary surgery or approved premises supplying the
veterinary medicinal product;
(b) the name of the veterinary surgeon who has prescribed the product;
(c) the name and address of the animal owner;
(d) the identification of the animal or group of animals;
(e) the date of supply;
(f) the expiry date of the product, if applicable;
(g) the name or description of the product, which should include at least
the name and quantity of active ingredients;
(h) dosage and administration instructions;
(i) any special storage precautions;
(j) any necessary warnings for the user, target species, administration or
disposal of the product;
(k) the identification (including the species) of the animal or group of
animals;
(l) the withdrawal period, if relevant; and
(m) the words “Keep out of reach of children” and “For animal treatment
only”.
It is an offence to fail to
comply with this paragraph.
2. New Paragraph (50) advises owners of all
registered premises that it is good practice to have adequate liability
insurance that provides cover for any advice given by SQPs when they supply or
prescribe medicines.
3. New Paragraph (29) states that it is good
practice to provide advice on the use and disposal of sheep dips when they are
prescribed and supplied.
The full text of the Code is
available as a PDF file:
Archive:
This page last
updated 16/11/2007 |
