Clearing up confusion on SQPs

Whether qualified veterinary nurses should seek to become Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) in relation to the supply of veterinary medicines has been a hot topic for some time. But confusion exists and VNs may be making career choices based on misunderstandings about what being an SQP entails.

SQPs may prescribe and supply some categories of veterinary medicines (POM-VPS and NFA-VPS). Products falling into these groups are mainly parasiticides and other medicines for the routine control of endemic disease.

SQPs used only to be able to supply medicines from premises approved by VMD and were generally employed by agricultural merchants or saddlers.

Now, however, the 2008 Veterinary Medicines Regulations allow them also to supply from registered pharmacies and, with effect from 1 April 2009, from premises in the RCVS Register of Veterinary Practice Premises.

Many Listed/Registered veterinary nurses feel that to become SQPs would enable them to extend the range of their practice.

Being an SQP would certainly open up avenues for veterinary nurses working independently of a veterinary surgeon, for example, in other approved premises such as a pet shop or in a registered pharmacy, and enable them to supply POM-VPS and NFA-VPS medicines on their own authority.

Regulation

Qualified VNs can become SQPs providing they pass the examinations of an approved training body and join a register. The regulator for SQPs is the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) and a list of training bodies is available on its website.

A modular approach allows SQPs to train for supply to all animals or only for food-producing animals, horses, companion animals or particular species. Top-up courses are currently available for qualified veterinary nurses to ensure previous training is not duplicated.

However, being an SQP should not simply be considered as another VN qualification. In addition to being registered with AMTRA and abiding by a code of conduct, SQPs must undertake Continuing Professional Development. This has to be specific to the SQP role and would be in addition to any CPD requirements from the RCVS for RVNs.

Medicine supply by VNs

Veterinary nurses do not need to become SQPs simply in order to continue to be involved in the supply of medicines (including POM-V products) under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. A veterinary surgeon who supplies a medicine does not have to be present when it is handed over.

The only requirement is that, for medicines other than AVM-GSL, the veterinary surgeon must authorise each transaction individually before the product is supplied and be satisfied that the person handing it over is competent to do so.

So, if you are a Listed or Registered VN working in a veterinary practice, before enrolling on an SQP course it might pay to consider the real benefits, bearing in mind the likely cost of training, registering and carrying out CPD.