New rules which will require co-ops and pharmacists to have a prescription to supply medicines from 2022 could result in a cost inflation of 200% for these products, Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) representative Darragh Quinn has said.

The pharmacist from Crossmolina warned the Dáil’s agriculture committee on Thursday that if the new rules were applied to all fluke treatments, sheep dips, pour-ons and wormers, it would make farming very challenging.

Some 900 licensed merchants and 300 pharmacists who supply veterinary medicines will be affected by the new rules. Although they will be able to still stock the products, they will not be able to issue them without a vet’s prescription.

Smuggling

Quinn highlighted that two different supply systems will exist on the island without the presence of a border, which may potentially result in reduced accountability and transparency of medicines used on farms in the Republic of Ireland.

By introducing this regulation, we are undermining the quality assurance associated with Irish food products

“At present, certain products are obtained by farmers in the border region for reasons of cost and availability, without a prescription. The recent court case of an alleged importation is as a result of an absence of political will.

“By introducing this regulation, we are undermining the quality assurance associated with Irish food products.

“Job losses in the thousands will ensue, while also threatening the viability of rural veterinary practices,” according to Quinn.

Under the radar

Independent Licensed Merchants Association representative Ian Scott told the committee that the Department acted against the wishes of Irish MEPs, the Commission and the merchant distribution system that it manages.

The Commission’s original draft stipulated that member states could preside over their own distribution systems.

The panel never informed any of the stakeholders of this in what appears to have been a unilateral decision

Scott said: “When this matter moved to the Department’s veterinary expert panel, it supported a change to make all medicines for food-producing animals require a veterinary prescription.

“The panel never informed any of the stakeholders of this in what appears to have been a unilateral decision. The Department assured the IFA and the UK that this ruling would not affect Ireland and that it wanted to keep its system under the radar.”

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