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Overview
The Authorized Medicine Sales Regulation, under the Animal Health Act, describes the wholesale and retail licensing system process, the record keeping requirements, and operational procedures for the sale of authorized medicines.
For purposes related to the act, the regulation outlines:
- licence application
- notice of appeal
Fees, offences, and penalties are also contained in the regulation.
Authorized medicines
A description / specific list of authorized medicines is found in section 14 of the regulation.
Apply for a licence
Sales outlets
All premises / outlets where authorized medicines are sold must be licensed as Authorized Medicine Sale Outlets (AMSO).
To apply for a licence, fill out and submit the appropriate application form below:
An application for an outlet licence does not permit commencement of selling medicine. No medicine or DIN products can be displayed or sold until a pre-licence inspection and a licence has been issued to the outlet.
Food safety
The Authorized Medicine Sales Regulation (AMSR) supports animal health and safe food production from animals by regulating the wholesale distribution of authorized medicine to authorized medicine sales outlets (AMSOs)
AMSR also regulates the manner in which authorized medicine may be sold to the public. In this way, public confidence in both authorized medicine sales and its role in supporting both animal health and food safety is maintained.
- Premises Identification (PID) Regulations fact sheet
- Purchasing Authorized Medicines fact sheet
- Selling Authorized Medicines fact sheet – for outlets
The roles and responsibilities of AMSO licensees have limitations. AMSOs shall not provide livestock producers with specific information pertaining to disease diagnosis or drug prescription. Rather, such matters come exclusively within the role of the registered veterinarian. For this reason, this manual will not describe specific disease conditions or recommend treatments.
Background
Livestock medicines contribute to production animal health and the production of safe food and food products that originate from agricultural animals. The proper use of drugs or medicines is beneficial in alleviating animal suffering through the treatment and prevention of disease. Production animals include not only those animals that are used for slaughter for food or food products, but also horses and other animals used in the pollination of crops.
On the other hand, the improper use of drugs may cause harm and unnecessary suffering in animals. For example, antibiotics must be carefully selected and used in order to treat bacterial infections effectively.
Consumer protection also plays a role in the regulation of livestock medicines because consumers expect and demand that food products be wholesome, and free of disease or drug residues.
At all times, livestock producers are encouraged to work with and under the guidance of a registered veterinarian so that their animals are in the best possible health. As animal health experts, veterinarians play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of animal disease and health maintenance.
In the event a producer has any concerns or is unsure of how a production animal should be cared for or its health maintained, the producer should always consult with a veterinarian registered with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA). Only certain types of veterinary medicines may be distributed or sold over the counter, rather than by way of a prescription written by a registered veterinarian.
Contact
Connect with 310-FARM:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 310-FARM (3276) (in Alberta)
Phone: 403-742-7901 (outside Alberta)
Email: [email protected]