Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme
From 1 January 2026 the Government is introducing two routes for sourcing medicines in NI, the Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme and the Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme.
On 19 June 2025, the government published 鈥楶rotecting Animal Health: The Government鈥檚 Approach to Veterinary Medicines in Northern Ireland鈥�.
To ensure that the needs of animal health and welfare can continue to be met, and veterinary surgeons can continue to access the medicines they need, the Government is introducing two schemes for sourcing medicines in NI; in accordance with the Windsor Framework, the Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme and the Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme.
These two schemes will work alongside each other to ensure that Northern Ireland veterinary surgeons and the animals under their care can continue to access the medicines they need, while ensuring compliance with the Windsor Framework.
This guidance sets out more detail on the Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme which will permit the use of suitable alternative products authorised in the EU where the animal or public health situation so requires. The products that will be covered by the scheme, should the situation arise, will be published later in the year.
From 1 January 2026, new arrangements for placing veterinary medicines on the Northern Ireland market will apply. These differ from those applicable to Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).
Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme
The Government will closely monitor the expected supply of products to Northern Ireland and will be intensely engaging with industry through to the end of 2025. Our assessment at present is that in the vast majority of cases, we expect vets, farmers and pet owners to continue to have access to the medicines they need, but that there remains a risk of disruption for a small number of critical products. Should issues arise, the Government is committed to ensuring Northern Ireland can access the veterinary medicines they need quickly.
Should the situation of animal or public health require, and cannot be sufficiently addressed by the cascade / Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme, the VMD may exceptionally permit the use of suitable alternative veterinary medicines from the EU, through a temporary authorisation of use.
This will be based on an assessment of the likely impacts of disruption on animal or public health, including with regards to the individual veterinary medicine鈥檚 criticality to animal and public health; and the availability of identical or similar alternative authorised products.聽
The specific products to be covered by this scheme will be set out should the situation related to animal or public health arise. We expect to provide an update towards the end of the year, if necessary, and in good time to ensure continuity of supply from 1 January. These products may be stocked and supplied in Northern Ireland, for as long as there is a situation relating to animal or public health that needs to be addressed.
The list of veterinary medicines will be kept under review and updated as required. This could mean that veterinary medicines are taken off the list, for instance if a marketing authorisation is granted, or added to if evidence emerges that there is a particular discontinuation or significant shortage which could have detrimental impacts on animal or public health.聽
Further guidance on the rules and requirements relating to the supply and use of these veterinary medicines will be made available shortly.
Reporting shortage
The VMD encourages wholesale dealers to report instances where veterinary medicines are unavailable due to manufacturing or supply issues.
Marketing Authorisation Holders are reminded that if they are unable to supply medicines to any part of the UK, including Northern Ireland, (for example due to a product shortage or discontinuation) this must be reported to the VMD as soon as possible.