Online veterinary medicine suppliers face tougher regulations
New regulations to target unscrupulous dealers in veterinary medicines online have been announced by Defra.
From 1 April 2012, medicines will only be legally available from websites approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and identified by a special logo.
The rules will apply to UK-based websites only.
The VMD’s John Fitzgerald said: “Some medicines are being sold by rogue traders and without any advice being provided.
“This irresponsible retailing of medicines risks animals’ health, which is why these new controls are crucial.
“Those buying vet medicines via online retailers should only use websites registered with VMD, so they know the medicine is correctly prescribed and dispensed for their pets.”
The VMD will monitor websites selling veterinary medicines, and if they are found to be operating illegally, action will be taken.
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This article was first published in Horse & Hound (6 January ’11)
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.