What is an SQP?
- Chloe Dix
- Sep 11, 2017
- 2 min read
SQPs (Suitably Qualified Person) are animal medicines advisors that are entitled to prescribe and/or supply certain veterinary medical products under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.
We can also advise on the choice of medicines, and provide information on their effective use.
Who Regulates SQPs?
AMTRA (Animal Medicines Training Regulation Authority) governs over 7000 SQPs in the UK.
To qualify as an SQP, a person must pass both a written and oral examination. There is also a great deal of research and training during the qualification process.
On top of the base module, all must choose between one and three additional species modules:
FAM – Farm Animal Module
EQM – Equine Module
CAM – Companion Animal Module
AVM – Avian Module
This choice then determines the classification of SQP qualification received.
I am an R-SQP, which means I am qualified to provide advice, prescriptions, and medicines for Farm Animals, Equine Animals, and Companion Animals.
Where can SQPs operate from?
All SQPs must operate from a VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) approved premises. These premises are then inspected once a year by the VMD.
What Medicines can SQPs prescribe and/or supply?
Below are the range of veterinary medicines that SQPs are permitted to prescribe and supply.
1. POM-VPS (Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP)
- Farm animals and horses.
- Reduce or prevent effects of endemic disease in herds, flocks or individual animals.
- Where there are risks for the user/animal/consumer/environment that can be moderated by oral or written advice from professional non-vets.
E.g. internal and external parasites in farm animals and horses.
2. AVM-GSL (Authorised Veterinary Medicine – General Sales List)
3. NFA-VPS (Non-Food Animal – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP)
- Medicines only for use in non-food animals, where they may be used routinely to prevent or limit the effects of endemic disease.
- Where there are risks for the user/animal/consumer/environment but these can be moderated by oral or written advice, and where the animal keeper can be given sufficient practical advice to permit effective and safe usage.
E.g. internal and external parasites.
As an R-SQP, I am able to prescribe and/or supply all of the above medicine classifications.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Being an SQP means constantly being informed, and up to date with current research. As part of this ideology, AMTRA requires all SQPs to complete accredited CPD modules throughout the year. Each qualification classification has a minimum number of CPD points needed in order for a person to continue being an SQP.
A person can collect as many CPD points as they like throughout the annual period, as long as it is above the minimum. Although, each SQP is subject to an audit from an AMTRA CPD Auditor.
CPD is a major concern for us at Target Worm Counts, and we have even been recognised by Over the Counter as Equine SQP of the Year in 2016.
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