Minister signs Commencement Order for National Veterinary Prescription System

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has signed the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023 (Section 7 – Commencement) Order 2024 into law.

This Order provides 13 January 2025 as the commencement date for Section 7 of the Act which brings into operation the National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS); the national database on which veterinary prescriptions and dispensing are to be recorded.

Commenting on the Order, Minister McConalogue said the commencement date will provide clarity to those in the industry prescribing and dispensing veterinary medicines and he hopes all stakeholders will work together to ensure the successful introduction of the NVPS.

The Minister added that the NVPS provides a real opportunity to deliver on the department’s strategy to protect human and animal health and welfare through enhanced oversight of prescribing practices, as well as supporting and optimising potential to secure access to new markets or retaining others, whilst meeting European Regulatory requirements.