The VPC offers advice to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) on behalf of the Secretary of State, in respect of new and renewal Marketing Authorisations (MAs), Provisional MAs, variations to MAs and Animal Test Certificates (ATCs).

The VMD decides whether an application is to be approved but consults the VPC where there are specific scientific issues on which it requires advice. In these cases, VPC members with the appropriate expertise to address the concerns raised by the VMD are identified in advance of the meeting and asked to lead the discussion.

The VPC also considers appeals when the Secretary of State intends to suspend a MA on the grounds of safety, quality or efficacy, or to refuse to grant a MA or an ATC, grant one that is different from that which was applied for, vary it other than on the application of the holder, refuse to grant a variation applied for by the holder, or revoke it. The Veterinary Medicines Regulations make provision for a fee to be charged for an appeal to the VPC.

Comments about this web site can be sent to c.bennett@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk