Helping to support companion animal medicines requirements as increasing demand on veterinary industry hits home

Registered Animal Medicines Advisors plays key role in the prescription and supply of certain veterinary medicines.

With growing concerns from pet owners on the difficulties of finding access to a vet, and more and more practices facing increasing difficulties in recruiting enough veterinary staff to fill rotas, the key role of Registered Animal Medicines Advisors (RAMAs) has never been more strongly felt.

A combination of factors, including the fewer EU-qualified vets working in the UK, professionals simply leaving the industry, or the increasing number of households welcoming companion animals into their homes, particularly through the pandemic, make it clear there is a strain on the veterinary industry.

The Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA), explains that RAMAs therefore play an even more vital role in providing pet owners with access to qualified, and dedicated advice and guidance to help keep animals healthy, including on flea, tick and worm control measures.

Legally entitled to prescribe and supply certain veterinary medicines under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, not only does this provide the pet-owning public with greater access to impartial and professional veterinary medicines advice, but retailers are reacting to this demand and recognising the commercial value of training and employing RAMAs.

“Pet stores and retailers continue to recognise the importance of providing customers with access to registered professionals with a tailored qualification in veterinary medicines advice,” explains AMTRA secretary general Stephen Dawson.

“We have seen significant increases in companion animal ownership in the last 18 months, and this in turn increases demands on the provision of qualified advice on treatments and the supply of veterinary medicines,” he explains.

Holding AMTRA RAMA qualified status demonstrates to pet owners and others involved in the purchase and supply of veterinary medicines that they are dealing with a registered professional, with the ability to advise, prescribe and supply medicines suitable as treatment or prevention for that animal.

“Ultimately, this reassures the pet owner that they are receiving high quality treatment or advice for their pet,” Mr Dawson says. 

“We have a unique resource for all companion animals in the UK, through our network of RAMAs, and it is essential we can maintain and build this essential distribution channel for veterinary medicines. Businesses able to provide this valuable resource for clients will feel the commercial benefits.”