A suitably qualified person (SQP)(SQP) is a person who is permitted to prescribe and/oror supply certain veterinary medicines under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR).(VMR).

SQPs can supply veterinary medicines classified POM-VPS (prescription only medicine – veterinarian, pharmacist, suitably qualified person) that they have prescribed or that have been prescribed by a a:

• veterinary surgeon, surgeon
• pharmacist or
• another appropriately qualified SQP

SQPs andcan also supply veterinary medicines classified NFA-VPS (non-food animal – veterinarian, pharmacist, suitably qualified person) from:

• premises authorised by us as suitable for the storage and supply by an SQP (SQP(SQP retailer premises)
• a pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, or with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
• a veterinary practice premises (VPP)(VPP) registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)(RCVS)

Requirements for SQP Retailersretailers

• Requirements

  The requirements for SQP retailers are set out in Retailthe guidance on:

  • retail of veterinary medicines
  • Inspectioninspection Criteriacriteria for SQP Retailers’retailers’ Premisespremises
  • The application form lists the information you must submit with the form

  Application formfees

  SQP Retailer application form (ODT, 43.7 KB)

  Fees

  There is an application fee, which isyou payablemust withpay by bank transfer as part of your application.

  For GB SQP retailer premises in Great Britain, there are also ongoing annual fees and associated inspections fees.

  The application and annual fees are stated in the application form and are not refundable or transferable.

  For information on fees see:

  • Feesfees for GBpremises in Great Britain
  • Feesfees for NIpremises in Northern Ireland

  ContactSupporting evidence

  SendAs part of your completedapplication, applicationyou formmust toupload inspections@vmd.gov.uk.a plan of the layout of the premises, with the medicine storage area clearly marked.

  PaymentYou ofmust also upload photos showing:

  • the applicationproposed feeveterinary mustmedicines beretail madesales bycounter bankarea
  • where transfersales tostock is stored
  • the bankstorage detailsarea foundfor onovers (if different to sales area)
  • a general view of the applicationinterior form.
    of the premises

  Apply for authorisation

  If youStart havenow any

  Get querieshelp

  For pleasehelp contactusing the Inspectionsapplication Administrationform, Team,or for any other queries, email inspections@vmd.gov.uk.

  TimescalesWhat happens next

  We will assess your application form within 10 days of receipt. If you have provided all of the required information we will notify you that we have granted your premises conditional authorisation, which enables you to trade prior to an inspection.

  We will then aim to inspect your premises within 3 months of validation of your application.

  If the information provided is incomplete or not satisfactory then we will inform you and put your application on hold until we’ve received the appropriate documents.

  You may not trade in POM-VPS or NFA-VPS medicines until you have received confirmation from us that your premises have been conditionally authorised.

  Becoming an SQP

  Three organisations are responsible for training and registering SQPs:SQPs.

  • Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA), Tel:(AMTRA)

    Phone: 01359 245801,245801

    Email: Fax: 01359 242569, info@amtra.org.uk,

    Website: websitewww.amtra.org.uk.

  • Vet

    VetSkill

    Phone: Skill Ltd, Tel: 01480 278580,278580

    Email: Fax: 01480 278581, info@vetskill.com,

    Website: websitewww.vetskill.com.

  • Vetpol

    Email: Ltd, enquiries@vetpol.uk,

    Website: websitevetpol.uk

  Related information

  Code of Practice for SQPs (PDF, 234 KB, 15 pages)

  Register of Approved SQP Retailersretailers Premisesand feed businesses.

  List of Registeredregistered SQPs

  Register of online retailers