‘POM’ proposals shot down
A new system for regulating these medicines is needed from October 31, when an EU animal health directive must be given effect in Irish national law.
But farmers’ organisations, the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and co-ops are expected to object to the preliminary draft proposals published last week by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
The proposals could seriously undermine competition and product availability, said Animal and Plant Health Association (APHA) Director, Brendan Barnes.
He warned that the transfer of the current off prescription product listing onto a veterinary prescription exempted list depends on all 25 EU member states agreeing to the listing.
“Recent experience shows EU consensus is very difficult to achieve”, he said.
Not getting EU exemptions would lead to a total capitulation to the vested interest of veterinary surgeons, said Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association president Malcolm Thompson.
APHA and farmers and licensed merchants will continue to fight for life science graduates, pharmacists, agricultural science graduates and dairy science graduates being allowed prescribe animal medicines, provided they have completed a course of training.
They say that only rarely used, dangerous items should be strictly controlled, by vets personally administering them.
