First student passes Avian Module

The first SQP animal medicine advisor has passed AMTRA’s Avian Module. Jacqui Lowth, who qualified as an SQP in 1998 and works for Hampshire-based saddlery Norris of Beaulieu, enrolled to add the new avian module to her qualification in March. She passed the exam in May.

“I really enjoyed the one-day course. I then went away to study for two weeks before taking the exam,” said Jacqui, who is also qualified to prescribe and supply equine and companion animal VPS medicines.

The avian module, which covers husbandry, anatomy and disease recognition for most species of domestically kept birds, is aimed at existing SQPs as well as those new to supplying authorised medicines. It was developed partly in response to the rapid growth in the number of people keeping backyard poultry, and the subsequent demand for bird health information and medicines.

“That’s certainly one of the reasons that I decided to study the module,” said Jacqui. “Our business has changed slightly and poultry is certainly one of our biggest growing markets. I now have the skills and knowledge to give bird-keeping customers the very best help and advice to keep their stock in good health.

“I also keep poultry myself – two dozen Buff Orpington and Pekin Bantams – so the module has certainly proved useful in terms of helping me to keep them in tip-top condition.”

But the module is about more than just chickens. It covers ducks, geese and turkeys, pigeons and caged birds, such as canaries and budgerigars, as well as game birds and raptors.

“The module looks at disease recognition and concentrates on what SQPs are allowed to prescribe, in terms of licensed wormers and vaccines, and how and when these medicines should be used,” said poultry breeder and vet Victoria Roberts, who contributed to the module.

She is an AMTRA assessor who previously worked as an SQP, and said the module’s aim is to increase the welfare of birds and educate the people who care for them.

“The module is designed to meet demand from SQPs, as well as people who are just beginning their involvement in supplying medicines for this sector,” added AMTRA’s secretary general Stephen Dawson.

The module is currently available for home study with exams around the country. Supportive training courses will be available in the near future.

For more information visit www.amtra.org.uk or get in touch with AMTRA at info@amtra.org.uk

Ends

Issued on behalf of AMTRA by Kendalls Communications.

For further information please contact: Henry Creagh – Tel: 01394 610022

Notes for Editors

AMTRA is an independent regulatory body whose task it is to ensure that the prescription and supply of VPS animal medicines in the UK is undertaken in a responsible manner by AMTRA qualified persons. Under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, AMTRA is the body appointed by the Secretary of State to keep a register of Suitably Qualified Persons. AMTRA's tasks include: working with Harper Adams University College to develop and maintain a qualification syllabus at Higher Education Level 4 which meets the needs of SQPs and the requirements of the Secretary of State working with training centres to support course provision provision of information and advice to SQPs maintenance of the Register of SQPs monitoring and accreditation of continuing professional development for SQPs regulation of professional conduct (including powers to suspend registration or strike off the Register for misconduct). SQP animal medicine advisors are permitted under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations to prescribe and supply medicines classified as POM-VPS and NFA-VPS – these are medicines used to control and prevent effects of endemic disease in herds, flocks or individual animals, for example certain vaccines and products against internal and external parasites, where there are risks for the user/animal/consumer/environment but these can be moderated by oral & written advice from professional non-vets. There are over 5000 SQPs, all of whom have passed specifically designed Higher Education exams. Of these, almost 600 work in veterinary practices, the remainder in country stores, equine suppliers and pet shops. More about AMTRA can be found on its website at www.amtra.org.uk