Regulatory body Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority, (AMTRA) has announced a record number of new student registrations, and continued growth in qualified and registered veterinary medicine advisors, across the companion animal sector.
The figures, also matched across the equine and farm animal sectors, were said to demonstrate the importance AMTRA SQP registered premises and retailers are now placing on employing in-house, professional veterinary medicine advisors.
Legally allowed to prescribe and supply certain veterinary medicines under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, the free and impartial advice available through SQPs can be an important resource for pet owners, available through many pet stores as well as country-stores and some veterinary practices.
Stephen Dawson, secretary general of AMTRA said: “The companion animal sector continues to recognise the importance of holding a professional, registered qualification in veterinary medicine advice.
“We have seen 368 new student AMTRA SQPs enrol in the first quarter of 2019. This is the highest quarterly figure for eight years. We are equally encouraged by the continued growth in overall qualified AMTRA SQP numbers. 10 years ago, we had just 700 AMTRA SQPs for the pet sector. Today, we have reached a figure of over 2500.”
