Tool aims to help industry connect more effectively with veterinary medicine regulators
by Vanessa Meadu
A new visualisation presenting contact details for veterinary medicine regulators around the world will open the door to better animal health. Developed by SMArt (Safe Medicines for Animals through regulatory training) with support from SEBI-Livestock, the database aims help countries improve access to good quality, safe and effective veterinary medicines. This information was previously hard to reach, disparate, and often out of date. Now for the first time, organisations and companies working to manufacture and distribute animal medicines can access regulatory contacts and procedures in one place.
The database has been developed by the UK’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and is managed by SMArt, with visualisation support from Supporting Evidence Based Interventions (SEBI-Livestock) at the University of Edinburgh.
We are proud to be a part of making regulatory information more available and accessible
“By presenting it in a clear and standard format, we hope to help industry connect more effectively with veterinary medicine regulators in low-and middle-income countries,” said Prof Peters, who is also a SMArt Board trustee.
SMArt aims to provide education, development and training for the safe, responsible and effective use of veterinary medicines. The free and open database lets users browse animal medicine regulators country-by-country, with up-to-date contacts, information about regulatory structures, and details about Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections. They encourage countries to get in touch to add their details to the database.
Multiple languages now available
The Global Database of Veterinary Medicines Regulators is now available in French, Spanish and simplified Chinese, to allow wider access to vital regulatory information.
More information
- Explore the database at https://smart-org.uk/
- For enquires and more information on the database please contact international@vmd.gov.uk.
- Explore more resources related to Animal Health at Livestockdata.org
Header photo: livestock medicines on a shelf in Kenya. Photo: P. Karaimu (ILRI) (source)