Major changes in the sale and supply of veterinary medicines are likely to be delayed as Agriculture Secretary Charlie McConalogue comes under increasing pressure to allow “Responsible Persons” (RPs) and pharmacists to continue dispensing some products.
It is currently being proposed to introduce a “prescription-only” rule for the dispensing of antiparasitics, including anthelmintics, pour-ons, fly killers and fucicides, which would prohibit pharmacists and qualified RPs in agricultural trade from continuing that trade as usual.
This highly controversial move, along with a controversial mandatory requirement for e-prescriptions for all veterinary medicines/feed, was due to come into force on December 1st to ensure prudent prescribing and counteract the growing threat to human health from antibiotic resistance.
However, due to persistent and conflicting concerns from stakeholders about the impact of the EU-backed legislation, the changes are now expected to be postponed to the new year to be enforced in parallel with the new national fertilizer database and CAP programme.
The Joint Oireachtas Agriculture Committee has published a report on the pre-legislative review of the Veterinary Drugs, Medicated Feed and Fertilizers Bill 2022, which includes 19 recommendations to reach agreement on the shutdown.
A key recommendation is that the roles of RPs and pharmacists “should not be terminated or restricted” under the legislation.
Speaking of Independent FarmingAgriculture Committee chair Jackie Cahill (FF) said: “Stakeholders are concerned about the impact this legislation will have on their business – it’s a big change in the way produce is dispensed.
“While the Committee recognizes the dangers posed by antimicrobial resistance and welcomes the proposed measures to address the risks, we believe that the role of the ‘responsible person’ and the pharmacist is important given the experience and knowledge they have to support of farmers bring in, should not be ended or restricted to take care of their animals.
“We recommend that they should be able to continue dispensing and prescribing antiparasitic products. Hopefully we can get that into legislation.
“These regulations come from Brussels. It is also linked to the fertilizer side and we have to comply with that, but hopefully in legislation we can ensure that fair competition continues as it has been.”
Asked if he expects the changes to be agreed by December 1st, Mr Cahill said: “December 1st will not happen now anyway – that timeframe would be too tight.
“If we have it by January 1st we will do very well. The implementation of the fertilizer database is really putting pressure on these changes as the new CAP programs cannot work without the database in place.”
A DAFM spokesman said: “The Ministry confirms that the legal opinion will be reviewed by ICOS and ILMA. Decisions on proposed changes to veterinary medicinal products in this regard will be clarified in due course.
“The key is to ensure that antiparasitic drug resistance is addressed while continuing to offer product competition.”
