Approximately 230 veterinary anti-parasitic and anti-coccidial medicines will be impacted by changes to veterinary medicines regulations in 2022 when new new EU rules (Regulation (EU) 2019/6) come into effect.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has confirmed to Agriland that the prescription status of approximately 230 medicines will change, meaning that they will require a prescription after January 2022.

But the HPRA added that that 'only anti-coccidial veterinary medicinal products are affected' - feed additives are not.

The HPRA said that the changeover process of products concerned has commenced and the prescription-only medicine (POM) route of supply will become obvious on the labelling of these products over the coming months.

"However, in agreement with the DAFM, a veterinary prescription will only be required after January 28, 2022," the HPRA said.

The only exception to the prescription-status change relates to anti-parasitics for bees, the HPRA has confirmed.

These medicines will continue to be available over the counter from licensed merchants.

This exception is based on a recommendation by the HPRA’s Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines (ACVM), which recommended that special status be given to anti-parasitic products for bees, given their important role in pollination.

"Such products will not be subject to prescription control," said the HPRA.

According to the HPRA, the various anti-parasitic products can be downloaded from the HPRA website by selecting the category of medicine (e.g. ectoparasiticide, endectoparastiticide) and the species involved (e.g. poultry, sheep, cattle).

In relation to the availability of generic medicines, the HPRA said that "it is recognised that the availability of generic medicines can lead to greater choice and will increase competition in the marketplace".

So the prescription status change (resulting from Regulation (EU) 2019/6) will apply to generic anti-parasitic medicines as well as non-generic, or branded, medicines.

"All medicines which fall under the remit of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 and are intended for the treatment of parasites in food animals will be subject to prescription control," said the HPRA.