- Print Friendly - Help

AgVetLink August 2003

Previous page  | Contents |  Next page

---

‘Slice of life’ audits – 2003/2004 year

The ACVM Group has agreed a programme outline with the Compliance and Investigation Group (CIG) for the current year for ‘slice of life’ audits. 

These audits are additional to any investigative work carried out by CIG.

Some of the areas that are to be covered (in no particular order of priority) are:

1. Veterinary compounding

A number of comments in the consultation on the draft prescription animal remedy (PAR) policy related to compounding by veterinarians. We need to find out what is being done and why, how important it is, and if there are any specific skills or standards that need development. The initial audit would be against the approved code of practice (Appendix 1 of the veterinarians’ Code of Professional Conduct).

2. Vertebrate pest control (VPC)

It has been suggested that further controls on VPC substances are needed.

The ACVM Group is developing standards in this area, so we need a substantial look at what is happening at present – of special interest is the use of anti-coagulant products by farmers.

3. Prescribing standard and approved code of practice

We need to look at compliance generally in this area to build an idea of the need for a regular programme.

4. Bee industry drug use

Exemptions in place under the ACVM Act are subject to compliance with certain criteria. Also, antibiotics are used in this industry without veterinary involvement, so we need to see what is being done and if there are any potential problems that need regulatory intervention.

5. Codes of practice for the use of PAR products by non-veterinarians in research, testing and teaching organisations

We need to confirm the level of compliance with the approved codes of practice in this area.

6. Minor industry drug use

This is likely to be a series of smaller audits to look at what is happening with ‘off label’ use in fish, deer, emu, goats, horses, etc.

7. Pesticide use

This will be a check of what is happening in some horticultural areas with a special look at glyphosate and some of the older chemicals. It will also look at minor use crops to see how well the current system is working.

8. Trading of PAR products

When we have the standard in place, we want to check how well it is being used throughout the supply chain for PAR products.

9. Fertiliser code of practice

This will be a look at what is happening against this approved code.

10. Grooms code of practice

This will check for compliance (should be fairly small) and may be combined with item 6.

11. Border

Late in the year we want to have another look at what is happening at the border with ACVM products as a follow-up to the previous audits in this area.

These audits are in addition to those already undertaken or programmed from the last year covering areas such as antibiotic use in the intensive industries, compliance at the border, and the use of human medicines by veterinarians.

The ACVM Group continues to run (via third party agencies) programmes for GMP approvals, HGP distributors and VPC approvals of users.

Any regular programmes that are identified as being required from the CIG audits and investigations will be done in accordance with the regulatory model as much as possible, where the bulk of the work is undertaken by third party agencies on a user pays/ performance-based basis.

ERMA audit of ACVM registrations

On 17 June 2003 an ERMA NZ consultant undertook the annual audit of ACVM registrations. This consisted of 20 approvals made up of two cancelled products, five VPC licences and 13 general approvals. The application forms, secure storage of records and the public register were reviewed.

The outcome and findings were very positive. The review revealed that:

1. The decision making process being followed is consistent with the HSNO Act and associated documents.

2. Appropriate application, registration, licensing and other forms are being used.

3. The ACVM Group has carried out delegated powers and functions with reasonable due diligence and promptness.

4. Records and confidential data are being kept secure.