Veterinary Medicine Regulations 2019.6 - Update Draft Definitions for inclusion in Code of Professional Conduct

Presented by Niamh Muldoon (Registrar)

Our Vision Trusted & Effective

Veterinary Regulation

Our Mission is to ensure the standards of education

and practise among the veterinary

professions, enhance animal health and

welfare, and benefits society.

VCI - Independent statutory body responsible for veterinary regulation, acting in the best interest of animal health and welfare, and public health.

Our Strategic Objectives

1 Lead animal health and welfare in line with One Health, One Welfare initiatives

2 Maintain confidence of the public and veterinary professions in the Veterinary Council of Ireland processes

3 Enable good professional practice and professionalism through education

4 Support the health and wellbeing of registrants

5 Support and develop the role of the veterinary nurse

6 Enhance, influence and inform policy through insightful research and meaningful engagement

Background • In anticipation of the implementation of the EU Veterinary Medicines

Regulation 2019/6 in January 2022, the Veterinary Council were requested by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider certain definitions in the context of the text of the Veterinary Medicine Regulation 2019/6.

• Why VCI – Independent statutory body and veterinary regulator. (Code of Conduct referenced in Recitals, para 47)

• The Veterinary Council presented the draft definitions under consideration in

December 2020 to progress more focused engagement

• Nothing set in stone yet – VCI approach is as follows:

The Veterinary Council of Ireland

VCI presented draft definitions in December 2020

The VCI have been engaging and consulting with many stakeholders on the draft definitions, including:

Irish Farmers Association, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Irish Cattle and Sheep Association, Independent Licensed Merchant Association, Acorn Licensed Merchants, Irish Pharmaceutical Union, Veterinary Ireland, Teagasc, Irish Co-operative Society, Agricultural Consultant Association, Health Products Regulatory Association

Medicine Regulations 2019/6 Terms

To assist in the context of the definitions, some excerpts from the Veterinary Medicine Regulations 2019/6, for ease of reference. 105(1) A veterinary prescription for an antimicrobial medicinal product for metaphylaxis shall only be issued after a diagnosis of the infectious disease by a veterinarian. 105(2) the veterinarian shall be able to provide justification for a veterinary prescription of antimicrobial medicinal products, in particular for metaphylaxis and for prophylaxis. Art 105(3) a veterinary prescription shall be issued only after a clinical examination or any other proper assessment of the health status of the animal or group of animals by a veterinarian.

‘By a veterinarian’

Means a veterinary practitioner VCI registered and entitled to practise in Ireland, and operating within the terms of Animal Remedies Regulations and the definitions of Animals under Veterinary Care issued by VCI. Ie. Threshold of knowledge of animal/herd/Animals under care • Responsible for the professional care of the animal • Sufficient knowledge of the animal, herd or flock • Available for follow up consultation or monitoring • Responsibility for the animal is real and not merely nominal

‘Diagnosis of the infectious disease’

diagnosis performed by a veterinarian and based on information gleaned from a variety of sources including: • Findings from a physical examination • Interview with the owner or custodian of the animal • Veterinary history of the patient and its cohorts • Paraclinical findings as reported by pertinent laboratory

tests and radiological studies. (Definition of veterinary diagnosis contained in the Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, Third edition – Blood, Studdert & Gay)

‘Clinical examination’

an examination of a patient including taking the history, physical examination by palpation, auscultation and percussion, examination of the environment and if necessary clinicopathological examination. Any examination must be undertaken with reasonable care. (amended definition based on Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, Third edition – Blood, Studdert & Gay)

Any other Proper Assessment Such assessment may include but is not limited to review of clinical and management history of animal(s)/herd/flock, along with relevant records of ancillary test results and/or epidemiological investigations. Any proper assessment must be undertaken with reasonable care.

Any other Proper Assessment continued

All veterinary advice and/or treatment plans taken on foot of either clinical or other assessments should optimise animal welfare outcomes, clinical success, and public health protection. In the absence of immediate prior clinical examination, any other proper veterinary assessment is only possible within a current Client Patient Practice Relationship and where conditions of ethical veterinary practise have been met.

‘Justification’

Justification Article 105 (2) states “shall be able to provide justification for a veterinary prescription of antimicrobial medicinal products, in particular for metaphylaxis and for prophylaxis” Justification for a veterinary prescription of antimicrobial products rests with the prescribing veterinary practitioner, and should include contemporaneous medical records detailing a threshold of knowledge founded upon on-going direct clinical contact with the animal (s), ancillary test results, epidemiological investigations and any other relevant interaction with the animal / owner/ farm as deemed appropriate at the clinical discretion of the veterinary practitioner.

The Veterinary Council of Ireland Next Steps:

Finalise and approve definitions, following conclusion of

stakeholder meetings. Consider specific guidance on dry cow therapies and

anthelmintics as appendices for Code Liaise with AHI Technical Working Groups on specific guidance

submissions Review & update of Code of Conduct ongoing – Q4 finalised

following consultation

Thank You