Only intramammaries will become ‘prescription only’ medicines
Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan said farmers will continue to get off-prescription medicines on the same basis as at present, and it will not now be necessary to amend regulations to extend the range of prescribers.
Minister Coughlan also pointed out that she signed regulations into law last November which include the removal of mandatory farm visit requirements for vets prior to writing a prescription, the extension of the life of a prescription from 31 days to six months, and the requirement that vets must issue a written prescription, and indicate at least two products, if a suitable alternative is available.
However, as announced last year, and in line with the position obtaining generally throughout the EU, intramammaries will become prescription only medicines from January 1, 2007.
The Department is consulting with the industry on what would be the most appropriate prescribing arrangements for intramammaries. Co-ops want an alternative prescribing mechanism based on the data and expertise available from the Mastitis Control Programmes which they operate.
lVeterinary medicine manufacturers and distributors, represented by the Animal and Plant Health Association (APHA), have congratulated Minister Coughlan and her Department on securing the retention of the current list of non-prescription animal medicines.
The Director of APHA, Brendan Barnes, said the decision, which followed months of intensive negotiation with the EU by the Minister and her officials, is a sensible and pragmatic solution, and will ensure that the highest standards of animal and human health are maintained.
“The decision means there will be no change in the distribution, sale and purchase of animal medicines, with products such as vaccines and wormers remaining on the ‘exempt’ list. Also, any change in the classification criteria for animal medicines in Ireland will in future be the responsibility of the Irish Medicines Board,” he said.
“Ireland’s position as a producer of quality food from grass offers us the potential to become the recognised market leader in all aspects of animal production, welfare and health. This decision on animal medicines provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to work together in order to achieve further improvements in our national herd health status, leading to an enhancement of our international competitiveness.” said Mr Barnes.
lIFA’s Animal Health Project Team Leader Michael Flynn said the EU’s exemption criteria rightly take into account the professional competency of farmers who have the ultimate responsibility for animal welfare and traceability, but IFA President Padraig Walshe said the question of prescribing arrangements for intramammaries still has to be resolved.
lIrish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association President Malcolm Thompson welcomed EU criteria which retain the prescription status quo. “Any deviation from this would only facilitate a black market especially in border counties and would be detrimental to farmers”, said Mr Thompson.
He called for scour vaccines for suckler cows, pneumonia and BVD vaccines to be made available from merchants.
“These vaccines are freely available to Italian farmers at about one third of the cost that we pay,” according to Mr Thompson.
* According to Irish Pharmaceutical Union, which represents 1, 600 pharmacists, availability of off-prescription veterinary medicines direct from local pharmacist will continue.
Joe Britton, a member of the IPU’s Executive Committee, said, “The original proposal would have placed unnecessary obstacles and costs on Irish farmers in obtaining veterinary medicines to treat their livestock.”
* ICMSA also welcomed the proposal by the EU Commission that all animal medicines which currently do not require a prescription would retain that status from January 1, 2007.
