Former VMD CEO awarded prestigious animal health award
Professor Peter Borriello.
Former VMD chief executive Professor Peter Borriello has been awarded the Special NOAH Award for Contribution to Animal Health.
Professor Borriello was presented his award during NOAH’s conference on ‘Sustainability, innovation and the role of animal health’.
Presenting the award on behalf of the NOAH board members, NOAH chair Caitrina Oakes said the VMD’s primary role was to protect public health, animal health and the environment.
She said: “During your tenure as Chief Executive, with your science-based principles and global vision, the VMD has been achieving this through being mindful of the need for a thriving UK animal health industry to innovate on a global stage.
“Times have been challenging – the UK’s exit from the EU has meant much work was needed to help ensure consistent availability of veterinary medicines to UK vets, farmers and pet owners. In a similar manner, the COVID-19 pandemic added another, unexpected, layer of complexity to supply chains.”
Commenting on the responsible use of antibiotics, Ms Oakes added: "The VMD has been a key driver in the One Health challenge of antibiotic resistance, alongside other stakeholders such as RUMA. Under your leadership, the usage of antibiotics by UK vets and farmers has decreased substantially while measures to prevent disease, such as vaccination, have grown."
Ms Oakes also highlighted another milestone achievement of the VMD under Prof. Borriello's leadership - the establishment of the VMD’s Safe Medicines for Animals through regulatory training (aka SMArt) Programme charity.
She said: “This initiative provides expert training programmes around the world to help build global capacity in responsible governance for the regulation, manufacture, distribution and use of safe and effective veterinary medicines with the associated benefits for the health and welfare of people, animals and the environment – a truly innovative approach from a regulatory authority.”
NOAH will be donating to the SMArt charity in recognition of the award.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
