§ Sir Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to regulate the sale of veterinary medicinal products by agricultural merchants.
§ Mrs. FennerThe Medicines (Exemptions from Restrictions on the Retail Sale or Supply of Veterinary Drugs) Order 1979, as amended, was introduced on an144W interim basis to accommodate the then pattern of distribution of veterinary products to the principles of the Medicines Act 1968. It has been in full operation for three years and has worked satisfactorily.
After consulting the Veterinary Products Committee—set up under the Medicines Act 1968—and organisations representative of the interests concerned, the Government have concluded that, with certain minor modifications, the order should form the basis of permanent arrangements. Organisations representing agricultural merchants and others involved in retail sales of veterinary medicinal products have re-shaped the existing code of practice governing the sales of such products. Taken together these changes represent a substantial strengthening of the controls. The necessary order will be laid before the House as soon as possible.