Leading the way in combating resistance

The SQP sector has taken big strides over the past five years to achieve high professional standards, says Ian Scott

There has been a major change in the way today’s SQP qualifies and operates since all medicines became POM in 2005.

At that time the old PML system had a radical overhaul and several new conditions were placed on the operators. In summary, these included a compulsory upgrade in qualification to a nationally recognised qualification, equivalent to a university year one diploma, supervision at point of sale and compulsory CPD.

The industry responded well, investing heavily in these new conditions. The 3,150 existing PML qualified staff had to sit an upgrade exam and roughly half did so and passed; the remainder left the industry or ceased selling licensed medicines.

However, by the end of the upgrade period in 2008, another 1,500 had taken the new qualification from scratch, keeping the new amount of nationally recognised qualified staff at nearly the same level.

Since then the SQP army has swelled to 4,500 and another 990 students are in the training programmes.

Supervision of sale at the counter has been a contributing factor to the increased numbers. Any purchase over the counter has to be supervised in person by the SQP with most retails outlets now having a minimum of three SQPs on payroll to provide cover for absence or leave. A small body of locum SQPs are also able to offer cover.

This has led to much closer customer relations, the creation in some stores of a separate medicines counter and a chance to discuss overall health planning, resistance build-up and address the full needs of that customer’s herd or flock.

CPD is a compulsory requirement for SQPs, each needing to achieve a points target over a set period via seminars and distance learning. At the end of the first period, June 2011, over 96% had achieved their target, 99.5% has achieved some CPD and those that missed their target are offered a re-sit exam or would leave the register at the end of 2011.

This resounding success ensures the SQP is kept totally up to date with latest advice on VPS products. Much CPD has concentrated on resistance management and SQPs can now lead the way in advising on combating resistance.

Through AHDA funding to enable SCOPS to continue is in place and SQPs now receive Moredun Institute bulletins to ensure independent research and development forms part of their advice.

In conclusion, the SQP sector has taken big strides over the past five years to achieve the professional standards expected of them.

Two thirds of existing SQPs qualified through the new training qualification supervised by Harper Adams University College.

One to one supervision of sale ensures that quality advice is given directly to customers while retaining excellent availability, communication and competitive prices to livestock farmers throughout the UK.

Compulsory CPD ensures the industry operates to a higher professional standard.

What value VPS?

AHDA reveals new market research at Conference. Reported by Ian Scott

The build-up to the AHDA Conference is in full swing. With delegate registrations running ahead of last year, a sell-out looks likely so please don’t delay sending in your booking forms to ensure your place. Four new members have joined AHDA since the last edition; all are sending delegates for the one day attendance free as the cost of joining AHDA would outweigh the cost of paying to send delegates!

The AHDA presentation in the Tuesday morning session (a new earlier start for the event at 11.30am) promises to reveal the real impact on the industry, the infrastructure, the jobs, the rural economy and animal welfare of the VPS channel. This new information, provided by accredited independent market researchers, is intended to be used as part of our platform for a defence of the VPS distribution channel in Europe. AHDA members and farmers are being surveyed and early feedback indicates that the impact of losing VPS distribution to be much wider and deeper than originally envisaged.

All readers can also help AHDA launch a more customer-friendly title for an SQP. Few customers know or understand what an SQP is and we feel a more recognisable title would help, while not changing the qualification or official SQP recognition. After consultation with AMTRA and VMD and AHDA Council, we have three possible shortlisted titles. Please take a moment to ring, fax or email your preferred title to AHDA:

• ANIMAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
• ANIMAL MEDICINE ADVISOR
• ANIMAL HEALTH ADVISOR

The results, which we hope the whole industry will adopt, will be in the AHDA paper presentation at the conference. Just give us your preferences: Ian@ahda.co.uk, 01780 767757 (phone), 01780 767221 (fax).

AHDA and AMTRA have just launched details of a regional circuit of CPD meetings scheduled for February and March 2012, visiting Cornwall, Somerset, Shropshire, Derbyshire, South Wales, North Wales, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Stirling and Aberdeen.

Details and booking forms on both AHDA and AMTRA websites. The programme is balanced for C-SQPs and R-SQPs covering new companion animal medicines at NFA-VPS, personal retail and sales skills training, the latest SCOPS guidelines from regional SCOPS large animal vet presenters and the new anthelmintic launch from Pfizer. Attendance at both sessions is worth 36 CPD points.

The expected challenge from Europe to harmonise distribution (see front cover of OvertheCounter, Autumn) remains high on our agenda.

The next move will be the publication of an ‘impact assessment’ in early 2012 and the draft legislation in early 2013.

We would expect the impact assessment on the proposed changes to indicate if ‘harmonisation’ is likely to affect the exemplary system we have in the UK.

AHDA Conference 2012

Something for everyone – ‘Broadening Horizons for Professional Healthcare’ Reported by Ian Scott

AHDA is pleased to present the 27th Conference and Exhibition on 17th-18th January 2012 at Hinckley Island Hotel, Hinckley, Leics. This industry showcase event has grown in popularity over the past four years to attract over 450 delegates and exhibitors from some 43 companies.

A full attendance CPD award of 60 points offers SQPs of all categories a chance to accrue points from professional presentations and gain rare and valuable networking opportunities. Once again at least one major manufacturer will be unveiling a new licensed product and several others now use the AHDA conference to release new products and promotions.

A major addition this year is an extra conference papers session starting at 11.30am with the CEO of the Moredun Institute, Prof J Fitzpatrick, invited to speak about the value to SQPs of independent research. This year a new AHDA members’ benefit includes free SQP membership of the Moredun.

AHDA has also been keen to embrace the new AMTRA initiative of widening the range of subjects for CPD. Papers on retailing skills and rodenticides, plus papers for C-SQPs on both days are designed to encourage fuller participation over the whole event. SQPs and management can learn of new opportunities such as the growing market of small pig herds with smallholders, working closer with vets and linking companion animal medicines to other retail products.

There is plenty for all, a specialist equine session and a major session on 18th January on sheep lameness with three top class presentations. The Zoonosis paper, VMD and AMI updates as well as a valuable insight into the steps involved in achieving a product licence are vital to all sectors. Kevin Roberts, new DG at NFU, will highlight livestock farmers’ issues and Pfizer will be revealing a fascinating dual active classification for sheep anthelmintic.

Delegate feedback highlights the gala dinner, entertaining after dinner speaker, AMTRA awards and big charity prize draw as a major attraction.

As before, there is a one-day delegate package of the full day on 18th January and AHDA members’ staff can attend that day for free or receive a substantial discount on the full attendance package. Non-member SQPs can attend that day for £45 plus VAT and apply via the special one-day form on our website, www.ahda.co.uk There is no facility for 17th January only attendance and, as before, badge electronic ID will be used.

This event has sold out two years running so please diary the dates and book early via the enclosed brochure!

AHDA news reported by Ian Scott

Our separate article on the cover looks at the emerging threat for Europe to harmonise the distribution for operators in Europe and this is a matter where AHDA will play a leading role in defending the right to sell animal medicines.

As with all things in Europe it is unlikely that matters will develop quickly but members will be the first to know of new developments as we start now to invest in engaging with market research and consultancy expertise.

Phostoxin or talunex distributors
As you read this, we hope to have successfully intervened with RAMPS (Register of Accredited Metallic Phosphide Schemes) and BASIS to save non-BASIS distributors of Phostoxin or Talunex the cost of joining BASIS.

Distributors were being told they had to join BASIS in order to carry on selling and the cost of this and RAMPS membership was prohibitive.

There had been a distinct lack of communication and consultation about this move which affected some 30-70 distributors in the UK, and AHDA has been pleased to intervene on behalf of all affected distributors regardless as to whether they are members or not and broker a better solution to ensure a comprehensive distribution network is maintained.

If on reading this article your business has been affected and you have not told us, please let us know immediately so that no-one slips through the net – ian@ahda.co.uk or 01780 767757.

2012 regional CPD events
In early November we will be releasing details of our February/March 2012 series of regionally based CPD events in conjunction with AMTRA.

The programme should appeal to all SQPs and will include details of they new dual active anthelmintic being launched at the AHDA Conference.

Watch the AHDA and AMTRA websites for details, AHDA members’ staff will have free attendance as usual.