Veterinary medicines

Veterinary medicines used in the UK must have a UK Marketing Authorisation; this is issued by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) in accordance with The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009.

Such products will have been assessed for quality and safety, and for effectiveness when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Authorised products will display an authorisation number on the label. This will be in the format of the letters Vm (veterinary medicine) or Vh (veterinary homeopathic medicine) followed by a five digit code, an oblique and a four digit code, commencing with the number 4. For example: Vm 12345/4321. Only veterinary medicines displaying an authorisation number in this format or ones displaying a code with the prefix EU, meaning that they are authorised throughout Europe, can be used.

Very occasionally there may be circumstances where there is not a medicine authorised in the UK suitable for treating a condition affecting your animal. Under these circumstances your veterinary surgeon may use another medicinal product under a special arrangement called the cascade. Such medicines may be legally imported subject to an appropriate certificate issued by the VMD. Possession, supply of, or administration to animals of unauthorised medicines, other than in the circumstances outlined above, is illegal under The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009.