NOAH responds to CMA issues statement
Regulations surrounding prescription medication impacts how veterinary practices can describe options.
The National Office for Animal Health (NOAH) has published its response to the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) issues statement.
In its letter NOAH explains how veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) are regulated, and the pricing of VMPs is decided across the industry.
Through NOAH’s Code of Practice, as well as Veterinary Medicines Regulations, companies are prohibited from promoting prescription products to the public. As such, NOAH explains that companies may be restricted in the extent they can inform pet owners of their choices, if such choices relate to prescription-only products.
NOAH describes how the animal health industry has no involvement in the pricing of veterinary medicines for the public. While the animal health industry does decide upon the prices which prescribing veterinary practices and wholesalers pay, it does not devise the prices which pet owners then pay.
The trade association explains that many owners may also not understand that prescriptions can be fulfilled in online pharmacies or other veterinary practices. It suggests that greater publicity on this matter may benefit clients.
NOAH also explains how medicine regulation and the involvement of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) affects the medicine market.
This includes the lengthy and expensive process of developing an animal medicine, and the four classifications under which veterinary medicines can be sold.
NOAH calls the veterinary medicines sector a ‘comparatively small industry’, in that the case for producing a veterinary medicine is dependent on them being used ahead of human medicines and unauthorised products.
Dawn Howard, NOAH chief executive, said: “We appreciate the CMA’s attention to the veterinary sector and the opportunity to provide our perspective. The veterinary medicines industry and veterinarians are essential in safeguarding animal health and welfare, and it is crucial that any regulatory changes consider the unique aspects of how our sector and veterinary practices operate.
“NOAH is committed to working with the CMA to ensure that the needs of pet owners, as well as the professional and economic realities of the animal health industry and veterinary practices, are met.”
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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. 
