15/06/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

The number of SQPs has reached a record high, following the latest SQP qualification exams. Fifty new SQPs have been added to the AMTRA register this month, bringing the total to almost 4000 throughout the UK. The new SQPs come from a broad base within the animal health industry and include veterinary nurses, pet shop staff, equine suppliers and agricultural merchants.

All SQPs have to pass a series of written and oral exams at Higher Education level 4 (first-year degree level). The exams cover a wide range of subjects including knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and nutrition as well as a good understanding of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations and the SQP Code of Practice. In order to qualify, SQPs also need to demonstrate thorough knowledge of current animal medicines in order to advise clients on appropriate product choice and optimal use, storage, handling and waste disposal. Disease control, parasite control strategies and knowing when to refer the animal owner to seek advice from a veterinary surgeon, are also an important part of the role of the SQP.

AMTRA would like to congratulate these fifty new SQPs who take the total to 3884 - a record number. New requirements on SQPs upgrading their qualification by the end of 2008 had recently seen the number of SQPs dip a little, but with these newly qualified SQPs the total now exceeds historic levels. The majority of the new SQPs specialise in companion animals, but there is good growth in equine and large animal SQPs.

SQP retailers remain committed to providing excellent advice, good customer service and great value for animal owners. I’m delighted to welcome these latest recruits to the almost 4000 professionals serving the UK’s animals with high quality VPS medicines and advice.

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04/06/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

VMD has today published a paper updating us on progress with the distribution category review.

The VPC reviewed 848 products and recommended 55 products for re-classification to a less restrictive distribution category while maintaining appropriate controls on the safe use of these medicines. Of these 55 products, there were 5 products where the VMD and MAH could not support the VPC’s recommendations to reclassification from NFA-VPS to AVM-GSL. These products treat worm infestations (including lungworm and/or giardia) where professional advice is needed for the safe use of the product and the VPC had recommended a category that did not require any professional advice.

The paper lists the products which were eventually recommended for reclassification. In most cases these represent changes from POM-V to POM-VPS or NFA-VPS and thus fresh opportunities for AMTRA SQPs (and pharmacists) to bring the benefits of these medicines to a wider audience.

Disappointingly, for some products, there will not be a change in classification as “the MAH [Marketing Authorisation Holder] declined to accept this opportunity”. This isn’t how I believe the review was originally envisaged by Professor Sir John Marsh and the Competition Commission, who noted that companies have always had the option to seek reclassification but often chose not to, it was believed partly to avoid upsetting existing customers.

Nevertheless, this does represent a significant new set of products available to SQPs (and pharmacists), and VMD are to be thanked for eventually seeing this long process through to conclusion. The medicines in question will become available as VPS products over an extended timescale (potentially up to several years in some cases) as companies reach their next label reprint - only when the label says POM-VPS or NFA-VPS should the product be regarded as such.

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02/06/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

On 21st July 2010 Merial is running an SQP training event with a difference. Based at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, the event combines equine, companion and production animal Continuing Professional Development at one venue.

Key speakers
With the roar of lions echoing in your ears, you will be able to learn from top professionals in the field, including Professor Jacqui Matthews from Moredun Research Institute Edinburgh University, Dr David Homer from Merial Australia and Hannah Lester from Ridgeway Equine Laboratory. The event provides a great opportunity for CPD, keeping you up-to-date with changes and research in the world of equine parasitology. Following the equine session, you will be able to choose between presentations on companion animals or production animals, broadening your knowledge of these ever-changing sectors. This event qualifies for 26 AMTRA CPD points.

Go wild
Following the event, each attendee will have the opportunity to explore Whipsnade Zoo. Home to more than 2,500 animals, many of which are endangered in the wild, the zoo’s impressive 600 acre site provides a fantastic showcase for some of the most amazing animals in the world and will be a memorable afternoon to follow the technical presentations.

The agenda
9.30–10.00 Arrival and coffee
10.00–10.10 Introduction and scene setting
10.10–11.10 Latest Thinking on Equine Parasitology – Prof. Jacqui Matthews
11.10–11.50 Equine Worming Down Under – Dr David Homer
11.50–12.00 Coffee
12.00–12.45 Eqvalan WEC Campaign: The Results So Far – Hannah Lester
12.30–12.45 The Equine Market and Marketing Anthelmintics – Claire Edmunds (Merial)
12.45–13.00 Panel Questions
13.00–13.30 Lunch
13.30–15.00 Topical Flea and Tick Control or an Update on Cattle Parasitology
15.00–18.00 Free time around Whipsnade Zoo

To book your space, complete the booking form and return to Beverly Archer, Merial Animal Health, Sandringham House, Harlow Business Park, Harlow, Essex CM19 5TG.

To find out more contact Beverley Archer on 01279 775862 or email Beverley.archer@merial.com

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06/05/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

Following the success of the 2009 OvertheCounter and AMTRA CPD seminars, once again OTC and AMTRA have teamed up to organise a series of one-day species specific CPD seminars eligible for a minimum of 27 CPD points.

The website has details of two companion animal seminars; an equine and a farm animal seminar are planned for later in the year.

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06/05/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

From time to time AMTRA is asked whether it can provide details of SQP locums (that is, someone who temporarily stands in for another SQP) to enable a business to continue to prescribe and supply POM-VPS and NFA-VPS medicines while the customary SQP is absent for whatever reason.

The AMTRA website now has a short list of individuals who have said that they may be available to undertake SQP locum work and would welcome appropriate contact from businesses interested in their services.

Please contact the AMTRA office if you would like to be added to this list.

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21/04/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

Veterinary Nurse, Lisa Lines, is the newly elected SQP representative on the AMTRA Council, bringing to five the number of SQPs on the Council. As the Council’s only VN, Lisa has a crucial role to play and she is looking forward to the new challenge.

“I am passionate about my work and now that I have been elected I can be a part of the important job that AMTRA does,” Lisa says.

Lisa qualified as a C-SQP in 2006, and has been Head Dispensary Nurse at the Royal Veterinary College, Queen Mother Hospital for Small Animals, for the last four and a half years. She is confident she has a lot to offer. “Since qualifying as a VN in 2002, I have gained useful practical experience of general and referral practice which I hope to bring to the council. I also want to support VN C–SQPs with understanding their CPD requirements, and improving the range of CPD available to VNs.”

Lisa is keen to improve recognition of the work of SQPs both inside and outside the animal health industry. “The C-SQP is still relatively new,” Lisa continues, “and that leaves scope for exploring ways of prescribing medicines, as well as further training and discussions with the drug companies on how veterinary nurses can be used more effectively.”

For fellow AMTRA council member and R-SQP, David Taylor of Countrywide, Lisa’s election is good news. “It’s great to see involvement from all sectors of the animal health industry, from vets to merchants. Lisa brings an important new dimension to the council as its first VN SQP. SQPs are now represented at all levels and this has to be a good thing for the whole profession. We all look forward to working with Lisa.”

Lisa’s election is also welcomed by Stephen Dawson, General Secretary of AMTRA. “One of the key roles of the AMTRA Council is to represent people, and to develop and propose policy to the Board. Lisa will be working with council members nominated by AHDA, BETA, BVA, NOAH, RPSGB, Pet Care Trust, and NFU, as well as the four other SQP representatives, who were elected by SQPs on the AMTRA register, and who need to reflect the views of individual SQPs. That SQP representative role is something we are keen to see strengthened.”

Lisa’s experience as a VN is seen as particularly important. “Although the representatives already included a companion animal SQP,” Stephen Dawson explains, “the Council felt it needed the specific input of a veterinary nurse C-SQP. Lisa’s election completes the broad SQP representation that the Council has been aiming for.

“Veterinary Nurse SQPs form a unique bridge between SQPs and veterinary practice. They may face different issues or have different perspectives and it is this that makes Lisa’s input so valuable. With this election result, the benefits that the SQP representatives bring to both AMTRA and SQPs as a whole will continue to grow.”

The AMTRA Council meets three times a year to discuss the activities of AMTRA and recommend policy, taking into account the views of SQPs. SQPs can find details of their SQP representatives on the AMTRA website (www.amtra.org.uk), as well as the minutes from the latest Council meeting. Please contact the AMTRA office or your representatives on Council with feedback or comments.

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22/02/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

AHDA is running a series of 10 regional meetings – CPD accredited to ensure farm animal SQPs are trained and competent to advise customers on the role and management of a new active anthelmintic class.  Please send booking forms to AHDA, not AMTRA. More details…

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22/02/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

The AMTRA Council is intended to be broad in its representation and input, advising both the Board and the secretariat. To help that happen, and to help those not on Council to be more aware of its activities, minutes of the AMTRA Council are now being published on the AMTRA website. If you have comments or feedback as a result, please contact the AMTRA office or your representatives on Council.

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17/02/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

One of the key roles of the AMTRA Council is to represent people, develop and propose policy to the Board. There are individuals nominated by stakeholders such as AHDA, NOAH, BVA, RPSGB, Pet Care Trust, NFU and BETA. But there are individuals - currently five - who were elected by SQPs and the MA Holders representatives on the AMTRA registers. They are there to try to reflect your views.

• Kate Byrne from Just For Pets is the C-SQP representative
• Martyn Channon who runs his own business in Rye, and Dave Taylor who works for Countrywide are R-SQP representatives
• Simon Wetherald, owner and MD of Bardsey Mills Ltd, a traditional feed merchant is the E-SQP representative
• Mark Brady, a Senior Territory Manager for Livestock POM–VPS for Pfizer, is the MAH representative

If you have questions or concerns or proposals for AMTRA, then of course do continue to contact the AMTRA office. But if you would like to contact your representatives, please do so. Their details can be found on our website.

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15/02/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

CPD points earned are added to each SQP’s records when they are received from the CPD provider. SQPs will be advised of the number of CPD points they have accumulated to date on their annual renewal form each October, and we may include an update with SQP newsletters.

However, as a new service, if AMTRA already has your current email address on record, you can request a CPD points update by email.

We hope this is useful, but it is an experimental service while we look to develop something better - so if it doesn’t work as expected, please be patient, but please also let us know.

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