GLOBAL DATABASE
Database of VMP Regulators
This global database of Veterinary Medicines Regulators is a source of contact information for the agencies/institutions responsible for the authorisation of veterinary medicines (pharmaceutical products and vaccines) and GMP inspections in each country. It contains a description of the responsibilities of those involved in the regulation of veterinary medicines within a country, alongside specific veterinary contact points for each of the bodies that discharge those responsibilities.
Where there are established regional bodies, alongside national ones involved in the regulation of veterinary medicines, these have been included in each involved country’s details. It is anticipated that the database will benefit regulatory experts working in the different agencies/institutions, industry and other stakeholders by enabling collaboration and the sharing of knowledge on aspects of veterinary medicines regulation.
The database has been developed by the UK’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), with support from the SEBI-Livestock, the Centre for Supporting Evidence Based Interventions in Livestock, based at the University of Edinburgh. It is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The support from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and HealthforAnimals is gratefully acknowledged.
While all reasonable attempts have been made to ensure the content is accurate and up to date, the site owners and sponsors cannot be held responsible for inaccurate information. Any corrections or additions should be brought to the attention of international@vmd.gov.uk.
Existing regional harmonisation
Currently the following established harmonisation processes exist, and this is indicated in the individual country’s entry in the database.
- Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP) within all members of the East African Community (EAC) which is supported by GALVmed.
- Centralised procedure within members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).
- Centralised, mutual recognition and decentralised procedures within European Union (EU) countries.
- Gulf Coordination Council centrally coordinated procedure in the Middle East.
Other resources
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide. The website contains the Veterinary Legislation Support Programme (VLSP) which was developed to provide countries with the opportunity to have their legislation in the veterinary domain systematically reviewed by VLSP experts, identify gaps and weakness in that legislation, to strengthen their capacity in legal drafting and develop new legislation.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a UN agency that strives to combat hunger and reduce poverty globally by improving agricultural, forestry and fishing practices. Its website contains a database of national legislations on veterinary medicines.
The Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) is a non-binding, informal co-operative arrangement between Regulatory Authorities in the field of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) of medicinal products for human or veterinary use.
Vetmed.world is a resource centre aimed to share knowledge and understanding of good regulatory practices and to promote further close cooperation amongst regional networks of regulatory agencies. This serves the wider aim of promoting animal health and contributes to the One Health approach.
The International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH) is a source of international guidelines on the technical requirements for registration (marketing authorisation) of veterinary medicines.