25 May 2005
ILLEGAL VETERINARY DRUGS SEIZED IN COUNTY DOWN
Medicines Enforcement Officers have seized a substantial amount of illegal veterinary drugs during separate raids in County Down.
The seizures, which are believed to be related, are part of a continuing clampdown on the sale of illegal and counterfeit veterinary medicines by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Last month, Medicines Enforcement Officers uncovered a significant quantity of counterfeit products and veterinary medicines after a search in Dromara. In a follow-up operation today, officers seized a further haul of illegal medicines in the Craigavon area.
Martin McIlveen, Medicines Enforcement Officer, said: "The Department has made it clear that it will not tolerate the manufacture and supply of illegal veterinary drugs. The likelihood is that these illegal veterinary medicines were destined for use in food producing animal, which poses a risk to the general public and to the Agricultural Industry. We will now be submitting a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"These counterfeit products had a Veterinary Product Approval (VPA) number which means they were manufactured for the Republic of Irish market. Anyone offered veterinary medicines with a VPA number under suspicious circumstances should contact the Department.
"These latest searches are proof of our determination to stop this trade. Farmers, and others who use veterinary medicines can do their bit by only buying medicines from reputable sources. The general public has also helped provide us with vital information on a number of illegal practices and we would appeal to them to continue to report any suspicious activity to us."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- In the UK, products with a Marketing Authorisation are given unique numbers preceded by the letters "VM", therefore if a product does not have a VM number on its label it has not been authorised.
- A VM issued in respect of a legitimate product provides assurance to the user of that product's safety, quality and efficacy. Such assurance is not available in respect of unauthorised products.
- It is the duty of the DHSSPS for Northern Ireland to enforce the provisions of the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994, as imposed by Sections 108 to 110 of The Medicines Act 1968, as appropriate.
- All veterinary medicinal products in the UK must be authorised. The body responsible for marketing authorisations is the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). All products which are presented for the treatment of prevention of disease in animals or which have that function must be authorised under the Terms of the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994 before they can be legally sold in the UK.
- Media queries to Clare Baxter, DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571.
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