New legislation in Great Britain is poised to update the requirements outlined in the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, aiming to modernize them. The forthcoming Veterinary Medicines (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2024 (available at; The Veterinary Medicines (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2024 (legislation.gov.uk)) will ensure the UK remains an appealing hub for the development and marketing of veterinary medicines, effective from May 17, 2024. These regulations, which govern the marketing, manufacture, distribution, possession, and administration of veterinary medicines and medicated feed, play a vital role in safeguarding animal health, public health, and the environment. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is the Competent Authority that collaborates with stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of these changes and to bolster their adherence to the Regulations.

The new regulations aim to streamline processes by lessening regulatory burdens and enabling the submission of a single marketing authorization application dossier, allowing for uniform packaging across the UK. Furthermore, there are several amendments that affect the pharmacovigilance of veterinary medicines. Additionally, they introduce measures to combat antimicrobial resistance by imposing stricter controls on the use of antibiotics and antibiotics administered via feed.

The new regulations further advance efforts to address antimicrobial resistance, aligning with the UK’s overarching strategy to contain and manage antimicrobial resistance by 2040.

For additional details, visit the VMD Information Hub.