Farmers and pet-owners may have to go to their vet for a prescription for something as simple as a flea treatment for their dogs because of new EU regulations.
The Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) said the EU regulations would force farmers to consult their vets about ringworm treatments, trace elements such as copper selenium and even iodine and routine ailments.
The IPU warned that the price of animal medicines would rise and their availability would fall if the Department of Agriculture pursued its plans to exclude pharmacists from the supply chain.
The department is amending the 1996 Animal Remedies Regulations to make all animal medicines prescription only. Some veterinary medicines can now be dispensed by pharmacists without the need for a prescription.
The amendments, which are currently going through the Dáil, were discussed at the IPU's recent agm where the members called on the department to amend its proposals.
Joe Britton, a pharmacist in Donegal, said the EU regulations which had inspired the current move allowed pharmacists to be listed as "another suitably qualified professional" for prescribing purposes.
"There is no reason why the department should penalise farmers and pharmacists like this.
"Under the department's plans the net effect will be that vets will be responsible for both prescription and dispensing of medicines for animals, and farmers will be obliged to go to the expense of calling a vet for what are often routine ailments," he said.
He cited simple products for which the regulations would force farmers to consult the vets, including ringworm treatments.