- PDF Version (121K) - Print Friendly - Help

AgVetLink December 2004

ACVM workshops

The workshops held in Auckland on the 4th and 5th of November had a good turnout on both days. Thursday was the busiest day with predominantly plant compound people and consultants of both plant compound and veterinary medicine interests. Friday was a shorter day with mostly veterinary medicine people. Similar comments, suggestions and queries were raised on both days.

The main points were as follows:

• Our contacts database is out of date because information, such as AgVetLink, is not reaching people. Consultants should be added into the database so that they may also receive AgVetLink. At the moment it is mainly going out to registrants. (See box page 9.)

• AgVetLink should be split into veterinary medicines, plant compounds and general interest instead of being mixed up. Presently it is hard to read because of this. (Recommendation implemented with this issue.) Also, it needs to be more colourful because it is boring to look at. (Recommendation under consideration – cost of full colour production is considerably higher.) In addition, registrants of plant compounds feel that veterinary medicines have been favoured recently.

• Some ERMA/HSNO issues were discussed, e.g. the concern that ERMA will not release information to registrants that the ACVM Group requires for registration, and this is holding up many applications. The ACVM Group promised to meet with ERMA to discuss these issues.

• The Data Assessment Service (DAS) process is taking too long, and there should be a more specific timeline.

• The fee system (specifically for C9 administration type applications) is ‘out of whack’ and needs to be looked at. In registrants’ opinion, some applications, e.g. C3 pack size change, should be handled by the Advisors.

The ACVM Group will work through the comments received with a view to making changes in the new year. Watch this space! In the meantime, if you have other suggestions for improvement, contact:

Maree Zinzley
phone 04 463 2546 or
email maree.zinzley@nzfsa.govt.nz