Northern Ireland Veterinary Medicines Supplementary guidance
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-12)

Details about the arrangements in place from 1 January 2026 for veterinary medicines supplied to NI arrangements, including the new Government schemes.

From 1 January 2026, new arrangements will be in place for veterinary medicines supplied to Northern Ireland. This document provides further detail regarding these arrangements, including on the two Government schemes.

This should be read in conjunction with the other VMD guidance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vmd-information-hub).

The Government provided further information in its policy paper (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterinary-medicines-in-northern-ireland) published on 17 June 2025.

Government’s estimate of the supply of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland

We have formed our supply picture through pharmaceutical industry engagement over a number of years. This has helped us to understand their intentions for continued supply to Northern Ireland from the end of 2025. We have also engaged with prescribers, trade bodies and others in the supply chain. Our current assessment is that around 10-15% of products authorised for Northern Ireland will be discontinued, however we do not expect significant implications for animal health and welfare as the majority of these products were either not marketed in Northern Ireland or there are multiple, alternative products on the market. The prescribing cascade and the two new schemes help build resilience where there is some uncertainty around exact product availability.

Some pharmaceutical companies have already set out their intentions to their customers, and we continue to encourage pharmaceutical companies that hold valid product authorisations in Northern Ireland to do so as well.

Information regarding the schemes

Guidance is available on the Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/veterinary-medicines-internal-market-scheme) (VMIMS); and on the Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/veterinary-medicine-health-situation-scheme) (VMHSS). Both sets of guidance have recently been updated and the VMHSS list (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/products-available-via-the-veterinary-medicine-health-situation-scheme-vmhss) will be updated when new products are added. You can sign up to receive notifications via the ‘get emails about this page’ button.

The two schemes come into effect on 1 January 2026 – until then there are no changes to how and when Special Import Certificates are required and applied for.

You can obtain a GB product straight away from a wholesaler when using the VMIMS. This scheme does not apply to GB vaccines. Wholesalers can procure GB products and hold them in stock where they may be needed under the VMIMS.

The decision on whether to add a product to the VMHSS rests with the VMD and is used to address a significant health and welfare situation, but we are always keen to understand from vets, farmers and other stakeholders whether there might be a need. For example, the VMHSS might be more appropriate where there is a regular and/or high-volume need for a particular critical medicine and the Special Import Scheme is unsuitable to meet the resultant health / welfare risks. Please use the report a supply problem form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-a-supply-problem-with-a-veterinary-medicine) to provide us with any information.

These schemes will be monitored in the same way that suppliers of authorised products are monitored at present. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) are responsible for inspecting veterinary premises in Northern Ireland that are not members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Practice Standards Scheme (PSS).

Many companies are continuing to supply veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland, and the number of product projected discontinuations are low. Where discontinuations are expected, these products are often not currently sold in Northern Ireland or only sold in very low quantities and/or multiple alternatives remain available. Therefore, it is not anticipated that there will be a significant reliance on these schemes.