AMTRA Launches CPD Scheme For SQPs

The Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority, (AMTRA) has introduced new Continuous Professional Development, (CPD) requirements for its registered Suitably Qualified Persons, (SQPs) to ensure they keep up to date with the latest animal medicines information.

In order to maintain their SQP status, every SQP will now have to achieve a minimum number of CPD points during each AMTRA CPD period, running for two years, normally from July to June.

The initial stages of the scheme however, will run for 33 months, from this month, October 2008, to June 2011, to give SQPs time to get used to the new structure.

Those SQPs who do not achieve the minimum number of CPD points by the end of the period will not be eligible to renew their status for the following year.

Dr Roger Dawson, Secretary, AMTRA commented on the launch yesterday:

"There is no maximum number of CPD points that SQPs can accumulate and we will be encouraging them to gain the benefit of as much CPD as they can.

"The new CPD scheme has the necessary flexibility to allow SQPs to gain the required CPD points via a number of routes, from accredited CPD events and online study to personal study. Furthermore, the structure of the scheme ensures that their studies will be properly assessed to ensure they have gained the necessary knowledge to secure their CPD points."