Lackham Farm - Medicines

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Medicines labelling

Medicine storage

Medicines records

Residues & withdrawal requirements

Supply of medicines

The veterinary surgeon dispensing medicine must satisfy the requirements of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Guide to Professional Conduct, BVA Guides and Codes of Practice, and current legislation.

Only medicines authorised for use in food producing animals in the UK and supplied by authorised distributors or suppliers as defined by the category of medicine supplied, or those specifically prescribed by a veterinary surgeon under the rules of prescribing provided by legislation or guidance from the Veterinary medicines Directorate, may be used on the farm.

Medicines labelling

Medicines prescribed by a veterinary surgeon and used or stored on farm must be labelled with

Name and address of the prescribing veterinary surgeon
Name of the owner or keeper of the animals
Date of dispensing
Any withdrawal periods
The words 'For animal treatment only'
The words 'Keep out of reach of children'
Directions for use
The words 'For external use only' if appropriate

The following details may also be included on the label:

The address where the animals are kept
Name and content of the medicine
Warnings related to the product
Identity and descriptions of the animals to be treated

Labels should be completed in type, roller ball, felt tip or ball point but not pencil or ink.
Labels must not obscure the manufacturers expiry date or batch number.

Medicines storage

Storage of medicines must comply with the following conditions

Requirement	Provision
Medicines with special storage requirements, eg refridgeration, must be stored correctly	Fridge in office
No human medicines must he stored in the same area	First aid boxes are positioned around the farm and offices.
There must be a stock control policy to ensure correct storage	Minimum stocks of veterinary medicines are kept. All stock is checked routinely for date. Stock is rotated.
There must he a nominated person to monitor the storage
Medicines must be stored in a designated storage area within a permanent secure building	All medicines that do not require refridgeration in parlour store. A dedicated fridge in the Farm Office is used for medicines requiring refridgeration.

Part used medicines and those improperly stored or beyond their expiry date must be disposed of carefully and safely.

Method of medicine disposal: Yellow plastic containers are used for bottles and needles. These are collected by a commercial company.

Medicines records

A complete record of medicine use must be kept on farm. The records must be in a retrievable system but not necessarily in any particular format. MAFF Animal health officers have a legal right to inspect these records

Daily diary, computer and medicine records are all kept by Lackham Farm. Vetinary invoices area also monitored.

These records include:

The medicine used and the person administering the medicine
The date of administration and the date when milk and meat may be used for human consumption
The batch number of the medicine used
The identity of individual animals or the group of animals.

Residues and withdrawal requirements

All withdrawal periods must be observed. Treated animals must be identified and recorded.

Requirement	Method of identification of treated animals
Milking cows	Red tape on tail. Computer controlled cluster drop.
Dry cows	Yellow tape on tail
Young stock	Ear number
Calves	Ear number
Sheep	Paint mark