25/10/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

The AMTRA website has been refreshed over the last week, with both the structure and the content undergoing a modest change in response to feedback from users. We’ve tried to make the information more accessible and easy to understand - for those who don’t know about SQPs, for students, and for current SQPs. The revised structure will also allow us to add new information more easily.

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22/10/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

The minutes of the September meeting of the AMTRA Council are now available on the AMTRA website. Items discussed, among others, include:

• fees for 2011
• CPD progress, review, and provision of information to employers
• transfer between SQP types
• diploma in veterinary nursing
• responsible use of medicines
• VMD update

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20/10/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

The organisers of the London 2012 Olympic Games are seeking volunteers to work in the dispensary at the Equine Clinic at Greenwich Park.  Applicants must hold the AMTRA SQP qualification and have experience working in a dispensary in an equine veterinary practice.

For further information on how to apply, email Celia Marr, celia.marr@rossdales.com with a brief summary of your experience.

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19/10/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

All 4195 SQP renewal notices have been issued. These need to be returned by 30 November - either via your employer if they are coordinating responses, or directly to the AMTRA office.

If you’ve not received your renewal by 25 October, please contact the AMTRA office.

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15/10/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

AMTRA is supporting AHDA in delivering a regional series of CPD events in February and March 2011 aimed at both farm animal and companion animal SQPs.

The first ten events are as follows:

Monday 14 February: Lifton, Devon
Tuesday 15 February: Ilminster, Somerset
Wednesday 16 February: Chippenham, Wiltshire
Thursday 17 February: Bransford, Worcestershire

Wednesday 23 February: Stirling
Thursday 24 February: Aberdeen

Monday 7 March: St Clears, Carmarthenshire
Tuesday 8 March: Marchwiel, Wrexham
Wednesday 9 March: Hexham, Northumberland
Thursday 10 March: Penrith, Cumbria

The companion animal content which as well as covering dogs and cats will include a regulatory update, will be in the afternoon from 2.15pm until 4.45pm.

The farm animal event will feature information on COWS (Control Of Worms Sustainably in cattle) and fluke control, and will take place from 5.30pm to 7.45pm followed by a hot buffet.

Additional venues for in eastern and south-eastern England for companion animal content only will follow afterwards and will be confirmed soon.

All SQPs will be sent details on how to register to attend these events, and that information will appear here shortly. In the meantime, please note the dates in your diary.

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11/10/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

As the number of SQPs (Suitably Qualified Persons) reaches a new record high, AMTRA has announced there will be no increase in fees for SQPs this year.

“With the number of SQPs in the UK now almost 4200, AMTRA has been able to hold renewal fees unchanged this year,” explains Stephen Dawson, Secretary General of AMTRA. “We are pleased that during the current economic climate, we have been able to pass real-terms savings on to hard-working SQPs and their employers.”
More SQPs, combined with a reduction in administrative costs, has meant that despite exam and other external costs increasing, AMTRA have also been able to keep enrolment fees unchanged.

“These price freezes are not only good news for SQPs individually, but the growing number of SQPs underlines the increasing value placed on SQPs within the animal health industry as a whole,” Mr Dawson continues. “The feedback we get from the industry and customers is that SQPs are providing a much-needed service, and their advice is valued and trusted. But we don’t want to rest on our laurels. AMTRA has already started work on increasing the amount of CPD we offer next year, and making that CPD available as widely as possible. We will be announcing CPD events on our website and by alerting individual SQPs.”

Stephen Dawson says that ensuring value for money for SQP renewal fees continues to be a priority for AMTRA. “We are looking at providing new and improved services for SQPs which we will be announcing next year. As AMTRA SQP numbers continue to grow, they become an increasingly important source of information and medicines for pets and livestock, working alongside vets to make a vital contribution to animal health and welfare,” Mr Dawson concludes.

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08/09/2010 by Stephen Dawson.

The Moredun Foundation is organising a roadshow in November at ten sites around Great Britain, providing what sound like interesting evenings as well as valuable opportunities for CPD for SQPs.

More information is on AMTRA’s page of CPD events for SQPs.

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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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