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About GVS - Veterinary Medicines Directorate

Veterinary Medicines DirectorateThe aim of the VMD is to protect public health, animal health, the environment, and promote animal welfare by assuring the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines in the UK.

The VMD became an Executive Agency of Defra on 7 June 2001. We were first established in 1989 and from 1990 we were a Next Steps Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food.

The VMD is responsible for:
  • the assessment, issue and maintenance of all national marketing authorizations for veterinary medicines in accordance with European Community EC and UK legislation;
  • acting as rapporteur/co-rapporteur or Reference Member State/Concerned Member State for designated European applications for centralized or decentralized authorizations;
  • controls on the manufacture and distribution of veterinary medicinal products including inspections;
  • pharmacovigilance through the surveillance of suspected adverse reactions;
  • surveillance for residues of veterinary medicines in animals and animal products; and
  • the provision and implementation of policy advice on these matters to the Ministers who jointly form the Licensing Authority for veterinary medicines under the Medicines Act 1968.

The VMD employs 10 vetsThe VMD employs 10 veterinarians, as well as pharmacists, chemists, toxicologists, and biologists to carry out the assessment of and other related work on veterinary medicines and to provide advice to the Director of Policy on policy issues. Where necessary, expert independent advice is sought from the Veterinary Products Committee (see www.vpc.gov.uk for more information) and the Medicines Commission (see www.mca.gov.uk for more information)

You can find out more about the VMD from our website at www.vmd.gov.uk

 

Page last modified 10 July, 2009

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