MINISTER for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has responded to criticism over tightened rules around veterinary medicines by saying he had ‘no choice’ on the matter.

Minister McConalogue said the new rule changes (the Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 2024), which will require prescriptions for many commonly used drugs, had to be made in response to a direction from the Health Protection Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

“There was no choice, in that the HPRA had already directed that these products would require a prescription,” he told the Irish Farmers Journal at the recent Ploughing Championships.

After McConalogue signed the law, both the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and the Irish Creamery Milk Supplier Association (ICMSA) called for it to be reviewed.

However, McConalogue said it was “vital that appropriate veterinary expertise is brought to bear when it comes to prescribing medicines, but equally that farmers have access to these medicines from a variety of supply channels at reasonable cost. I am satisfied that these regulations achieve those objectives.”

Prescription

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association last week confirmed to it’s members that anyone seeking to use antimicrobial (ie antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals) and antiparasitic (worming) products will require a prescription from a veterinary professional from 2025.

“This will be mandatory from January 13th, 2025 and, from this date, all veterinary medicinal products (with the exception of antiparasitics) will be required to be prescribed and dispensed using the national veterinary prescription system (NVPS),” the ITBA stated.

Requirement

“The requirement for a prescription for antiparasitics will commence on June 9th, 2025. After this date, all veterinary medicinal products must be prescribed using the NVPS.

This Statutory Instrument aims to address antimicrobial and antiparasitic resistance by ensuring prudent use of veterinary medicinal products and to provide greater oversight of prescribing and use of veterinary medicinal products.