“What is an SQP?” is a question I get asked very often, and I explain that I am an animal health advisor and that there are certain medications that I can prescribe and dispense for animals. But of course, there’s a lot more to it than that.

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Being a SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) is not just about selling products, but it carries important legal and professional duties. I have explained to customers that if we do not uphold our legal duties, it could mean that we are removed from the SQP register. I have also explained about the amount of CPD we have to do to keep our legal qualification.

Here are some frequent questions we may get asked as an SQP:

Where will I find an SQP?

SQPs can be qualified in Companion Animal (dogs, cats, small pets), Equine, Farm or Avian sectors, in any combination. They are champions of animal welfare and responsible prescribing of animal medicines.

SQPs fulfil an essential role in agricultural stores, pet stores and veterinary practices. There is so much more to our role than the prescription of animal preventative health care products. We also bring a large wealth of knowledge on nutrition and animal husbandry. This wealth of information can have a positive impact on sales and the overall health of the animal.

An SQP is trained to manage animal medicines and supply them with appropriate advice: like a vet or a pharmacist, as SQP is a registered qualified person (RQP); the name is embedded in UK veterinary medicines law. SQPs must operate from registered premises and they must sit on a professional register.

What are the categories of veterinary medicines?

Veterinary medicine categories are legal classifications that define who can prescribe or dispense the medicine. Some categories of veterinary medicines must be supplied from registered premises. There are strict conditions under which animal medicines can be supplied and professionals must comply with these conditions so that animal health – and where animals may enter the food chain – and human health, are protected.

SQPs are trained to dispense VPS medicines; however, we must also be aware of when to refer to a Vet. An SQP is entitled to prescribe and/or supply the categories of product that fall within the scope of the qualification they have obtained and the registration they hold.

The range of veterinary medicines available to an SQP fall within the following distribution classifications:

  • POM-VPS (Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP)
  • NFA-VPS (Non-Food Animal – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP)
  • AVM-GSL (Authorised Veterinary Medicine – General Sales List)

What do the categories mean in the real world?

POM-VPS medicines are those in farm animals and horses used to reduce or prevent effects of endemic disease in herds, flocks or individual animals (e.g. internal and external parasites in farm animals and horses, and some vaccines), where there are risks for the user/animal/consumer/environment, but these can be moderated by oral or written advice from professional non-vets.

Similarly, the NFA-VPS medicines are only for use in non-food animals where they may be used routinely to prevent or limit the effects of endemic disease (e.g. internal and external parasites), where there are risks for the user, the animal, the consumer, or the wider environment but that these risks 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.

SQPs will have a discussion with the owner before any medicines are prescribed or supplied. This will involve finding out about how the animal is kept. The SQP will consider age, sex, weight, and lifestyle of the animal and what treatments have been used previously. The SQP may also ask if the animal is in good health, if the animal is pregnant or lactating. We will also advise on how to use the medication and if you are aware what the medication is for.

We aren’t being nosy – it’s our legal responsibility to make sure the product we supply you with is appropriate for you and for your animal!

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