REVIEW OF DISPENSING BY VETERINARY SURGEONS OF MEDICINES

10 Dec 2002 11:45 AM

DEPARTMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

News Release
News Release ref: 507/02
Date: 10 December 2002

THE GOVERNMENT'S FORMAL RESPONSE TO THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF DISPENSING BY VETERINARY SURGEONS OF PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICINES

The Government's formal response to the recommendations contained in The Report of the Independent Review of Dispensing by Veterinary Surgeons of Prescription Only Medicines (The Marsh Report) is published today.

Animal Health and Welfare Minister Elliot Morley welcomed the positive contribution that the Marsh Report has made to the debate on the availability of veterinary medicines. With the European Commission and the UK's Competition Commission about to introduce proposals on veterinary medicines legislation the Marsh
recommendations could not be considered in isolation.

Mr Morley said he was pleased with the generally positive reaction to the Government's interim response. The VMD will work with professional bodies to implement those recommendations which are not dependent on the European Commission and Competition Commission's work. This would include:

* encouraging veterinary surgeons to issue prescriptions for Prescription Only Medicines and to improve their business practices;

* encouraging farmers and veterinary surgeons jointly to introduce farm health plans, which should lead to improved flock/herd health, a reduction in the amount of medicines used and, by focusing on safe disposal of medicinal waste, help farmers to meet new waste requirements.

* improving the availability of training for those employed in the care of animals.

* increasing the range of medicines to treat minor species.

* increasing the number of outlets authorised to dispense cat and dog wormers classified as PML.

* increasing the range of medicines available to treat horses not intended for human consumption.

Copies of the Government's full formal response is available from Heather Oliver Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3LS, tel: 01932 338316 (or e-mail h.oliver@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk) and on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's website www.vmd.gov.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The Independent Review of Dispensing by Veterinary Surgeons was announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as part of the Government's Action Plan for Farming launched at No. 10 Downing Street on 30 March 2000. An update on progress made on all areas of the Action Plan so far is available in the Action Plan for Farming bulletin www.defra.gov.uk/farm/agendtwo/strategy/index.htm.

2. The Report was published on 11 May 2001.

3. The terms of reference of the Independent Review of Dispensing by Veterinary Surgeons were determined by Ministers and are as follows:

- To review the procedures by which prescription-only medicines for veterinary use are classified and sold in the United Kingdom and the impact current practices may be having on availability and prices.

- To make recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by 31 March 2001.

4. The Independent Review Group was chaired by Professor Sir John Marsh CBE. Members of the Group were Dr Jeremy Lucke BVSc PhD MRCVS, Mr John E Moffitt CBE DCL FRASE and Lady Yardley NDD Dip Ed.

5. The Government published its interim response to the recommendations for consultation in December 2001.

6. Copies of the Report are available from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3LS, and on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's website www.vmd.gov.uk.

7. Attached to this PN, is a letter to stakeholders detailing the Government's formal response.

Press enquiries:020 7238 6094 Public enquiries 08459 335577 Press notices are available on our website www.defra.gov.uk

End

10 December 2002

Dear Sir/Madam

THE GOVERNMENT'S FORMAL REPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF DISPENSING BY VETERINARY SURGEONS OF PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICINES

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the Government has now published its formal response to the recommendations in the Report of the Independent Review of Dispensing By Veterinary Surgeons of Prescription Only Medicines - the so-called Marsh Report. A copy of the response is enclosed at Annex A ( see web for details ).

The independent review formed part of the package of long-term measures and short-term financial aid for British farming announced at the Agriculture Summit on 30 March 2000

In July 2000 the then Minister of Agriculture appointed Professor Sir John Marsh CBE, Dr Jeremy Lucke, Mr John Moffitt CBE and Lady Patsy Yardley as Chairman and members respectively, of the Independent Review Group.

The Review Group was given the following terms of reference:

"To review the procedures by which prescription only medicines (POMs) for veterinary use are classified and sold in the United Kingdom and the impact current practices may be having on availability and prices.

To make recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by 31 March 2001."

The Group concluded its investigations and presented its Report to Ministers in March 2001. The Report was published in May and a total of 245 interested parties were consulted on the Government's interim responses in December 2001.

The Government's interim responses were welcomed and supported by most of the 39 respondents. Of those 39 responses, 11 were received from the veterinary profession, 10 from the farming industry, 4 from pharmacists, 3 from distributors of veterinary medicines, 1 from the pharmaceutical industry and 10 from other interested organisations or individuals. Only one recommendation "to allow veterinarians to prescribe generic treatments for companion animals" brought any real divergence of views.

You will see from the response that of the Report's 14
recommendations:

8 are agreed (Recommendations 1, 3,5-7, 9,10 and 12);

1 is rejected (Recommendation 8);

3 await the outcome of the European Commission's proposals to amend the veterinary medicines directive (Review 2001) (Recommendations 14, 2 and 4); and

2 await the outcome of the Competition Commission's inquiry into the cost of veterinary medicines (Recommendations 11 and 13).

The Government will issue its formal response to five outstanding Recommendations when the Competition Commission has reported or the Review 2001 negotiations have been completed, as appropriate.

The effect of accepting the 8 recommendations will be to:

encourage veterinary surgeons to issue prescriptions for Prescription Only Medicines and to improve their business practices;

encourage farmers and veterinary surgeons jointly to introduce farm health plans, which should lead to improved flock/herd health and a reduction in the amount of medicines used;

improve the availability of training for those employed in the care of animals;

increase the range of medicines available to treat minor species;

increase the number of outlets authorised to dispense cat and dog wormers classified as PML; and

increase the range of medicines available to treat horses not intended for human consumption.

I have also enclosed at Annex B, for information, initial regulatory impact assessments for recommendations 3, 5, 6 and 9. Regulatory impact assessments are not required for the other accepted recommendations.

Copies of the Report are available from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3LS, and on its website www.vmd.gov.uk.

John FitzGerald
Director of Policy