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RCVS reports recent practice burglaries
lock and key
The RCVS says it has been made aware of a number of recent burglaries of veterinary practices for the purpose of stealing controlled drugs.
Practices reminded to store controlled drugs securely
 
The RCVS says it has been made aware of a number of recent burglaries of veterinary practices for the purpose of stealing controlled drugs. Practices are being reminded to store controlled drugs safely and securely to protect themselves.

There is a legal requirement for all schedule 2 controlled drugs, except quinabarbitone, and certain schedule 3 controlled drugs to be stored in a locked container that is compliant with the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973.

However, the RCVS advises that all schedule 3 controlled drugs be kept in a controlled drug cabinet.

Only a veterinary surgeon or nominated person at the practice may access the controlled drugs cabinet. If a nominated person who is not a veterinary surgeon is removing drugs from the cabinet, the veterinary surgeon directing them remains legally and professionally responsible.

For the college's full guidance on this, including destruction of controlled drugs and the use, location, design and construction of cabinets, see the Controlled Drugs Guidance and Practice Standards Scheme manuals:
Many UK police forces have controlled drug liaison officers who can provide advice on safe storage. Contact details for officers by area can be obtained from the Association of Police Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers: http://www.apcdlo.org.uk/contact.html

 

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.