Antibiotics must be prescribed, says Coughlan

THERE is no prospect of intramammary antibiotics escaping prescription only status in the new veterinary medicine regulations, according to Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

She said the Irish Medicines Board will manage the re-classification process, with a view to having it completed by January 1, 2007, which is also the deadline for the EU to decide what medicines can be exempted from the prescription only requirement.

Minister Coughlan confirmed she is finalising the transposition of relevant aspects of the new EU Medicines Directive and amending national legislation.