The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has today announced that the relaxing of the enforcement of Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) – in response to the COVID-19 pandemic – will end on August 31.

The step taken by the VMD at the start of lockdown, allowed SQPs to prescribe and authorise supply of veterinary medicines remotely for the categories of veterinary medicines they are allowed to prescribe and supply under the VMR.

The VMD said its decision to end the relaxing of the enforcement of VMR will last until August 31 and then cease.

All other requirements of the VMR on the SQPs as the person responsible for the prescription and supply of certain veterinary medicines continue to apply.

The SQP must:

• be the person that has the conversation/consultation with the animal owner;
• be the person that makes the prescribing decision; and
• be satisfied that the person handing over or dispatching the prescribed product is competent to do so.