90 Percent Of SQPs Now Compliant

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate, (VMD) has told the animal health products distribution industry that it has seen a marked improvement in the number of SQP, (Suitably Qualified) retailers complying with the requirements of its Veterinary Medicines Regulations.

John Millward, who heads the VMD team responsible for inspecting registered premises, told delegates at a recent industry conference that 90% of the 627 SQP premises inspected by the Animal Medicines Inspectorate's (AMI) during 2007 were found to be compliant.

Harper Adams University College (HAUC) which runs courses in Animal Science, Animal Husbandry, Animal Health and Veterinary Nursing, has reported a 90% pass rate amongst candidates sitting the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority, (AMTRA) SQP Base examination.

As recently as this January John Fitzgerald, Operations Director, VMD told the 23rd Animal Health Distributors Association Annual Conference, (AHDA) that his organisation had received many complaints about inadequate controls over the distribution of veterinary medicines over the Internet.