Dispensing review: BVA's evidence to the Independent Review Group

• Published in: Veterinary record 2000-12, Vol.147 (23), p.644-648
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; availability; british veterinary association; Drug Costs; Drug Prescriptions; Legislation, Veterinary; Practice Patterns, Physicians; prescriptions; prices; Public Policy; United Kingdom; veterinary drugs; Veterinary Drugs - economics; Veterinary Drugs - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0042-4900; 2042-7670

The BVA has submitted two sets of evidence to the Independent Review Group on dispensing (IRG), which was established by the Government 'to review the procedures by which prescription only medicines (POMS) for veterinary use are classified and sold in the UK, and the impact current practices may be having on availability and prices'. The first submission consisted of a transcript of the proceedings of the one-day seminar on medicines organised by the BVA at its recent congress in Chester, which heard from all sides in the debate and was attended by all members of the review group (see VR, October 21, pp 463-466). In its second submission, which is reproduced here, the Association discusses the review in the context of overall policy on veterinary medicines and, as requested by the review group, provides data on the costs and margins involved in providing a 24-hour pharmacy within a 'one stop' veterinary service. In submitting its evidence, the BVA noted that some of its divisions had submitted separate papers discussing prescribing in particular sectors of the profession and for particular species. While its own evidence did not go over the same ground again, it nevertheless emphasised its support for the messages those submissions contained.