Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the price differentials between veterinary medicines supplied from veterinary practices and those supplied through pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9077/07]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the difficulties faced by farmers in obtaining veterinary medicines, in particular in areas where veterinary surgeons are not readily available; the actions she will take to get the veterinary profession to write prescriptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9076/07]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that the range of animal treatment products that are currently POM is appropriate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9079/07]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the risk of a black market in veterinary medicines arising from their increased cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9078/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 37, 91 and 92 together.

The legislation governing the approval and distribution of veterinary medicines provides for a range of approved sales outlets for different categories of medicines viz. licensed merchants, pharmacies and veterinary practitioners and these are located throughout the country. As regards availability of veterinary practitioners, the position is that veterinary practices are primarily commercial entities and their locations are driven by commercial realities. However, I have outlined to the House on a number of occasions the measures I have taken in the context of the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 and the Animal Remedies Regulations 2005 which should help to ameliorate difficulties which may arise in particular parts of the country. I also understand that Údarás na Gaeltachta has provided funding to subsidise veterinary practices in some remote area in consultation with local farming communities.

With regard to prices charged by veterinary practitioners, the position is that prices are primarily a commercial matter between the veterinary practitioner and his/her client. Farmers, who are concerned or have information in relation to profiteering by veterinary practices should complain in the first instance to the National Consumer Agency. However, in my view, the best way to keep prices down is to foster competition and I have taken a number of steps in recent years to foster this dynamic in the veterinary medicines area. In particular, it has been a legal requirement under the Animal Remedies Regulations, since 1 January 2006, for veterinary practitioners to issue written prescriptions to their clients. This requirement, combined with the extension in the maximum validity period for a veterinary prescription from one to six months, ensures that farmers have a better choice as to where to purchase their prescription veterinary medicines requirements and, if prices in pharmacies are lower than those charged by veterinary practitioners, farmers should have their prescriptions dispensed at pharmacies. In addition, vets are now required to show the cost of medicines separately from the cost of the professional service. This provision has introduced greater transparency into the pricing system for veterinary medicines. In particular, it provides farmers with better information on relative prices as between veterinary practices and pharmacies and this facilitates decision making by farmers about where they can get best value when purchasing their medicines. Furthermore, I have extended the range of outlets which may supply some prescription medicines to include the Licensed Merchant category, thus extending the scope for price competition. Finally, arising from the approach my Department pursued in the EU discussions on the 'exemption criteria', important categories, such as wormers and certain vaccines, will continue to be available off prescription.

I believe that the foregoing measures will ensure the continued availability of veterinary medicines at reasonable cost and, in any event, I could not accept that there could be any justification for unscrupulous operators selling medicines illegally, or for farmers sourcing medicines from such persons. Any such activity will be closely monitored and fully investigated by my Department and, where evidence of such activity is found, appropriate action, which may include prosecution, will be taken.

With regard to prescription only medicines, decisions as to which medicines are designated POM, as with all decisions on the route of supply of veterinary medicines, are matters for the Irish Medicines Board, on the basis of that body's scientific evaluation of the risk-benefit profile of each product, having regard to objective criteria laid down in the legislation.