VMIMS allows veterinary surgeons in Northern Ireland to prescribe and use veterinary medicines authorised only in Great Britain, under certain exceptional conditions, where no Northern Ireland or EU-authorised medicine is available.
Effective from 1 January 2026 - Applies to Northern Ireland
This scheme is case-by-case and aims to avoid unacceptable animal suffering.
Key Features of VMIMS:
- Removes the requirement for a certificate to move GB-authorised veterinary medicines into NI.
- Supports medicine use under the cascade, as set out in Articles 112, 113, and 114 of Regulation (EU) 2019/6.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. No authorised and available alternative in NI or the EU.
2. The medicine:
- Must be supplied from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
- Must hold a current Marketing Authorisation (MA) in Great Britain.
- Cannot be an immunological veterinary medicine
Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme:
This scheme may be triggered in exceptional public or animal health situations that cannot be addressed through:
- The cascade, or
- The VMIMS.
In such cases, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) may temporarily authorise the use of suitable alternative veterinary medicines from the EU.
Purpose:
To enable rapid response in the event of urgent animal or public health risks, when existing authorisation pathways are inadequate.
For further Information please visit:
GOV.UK – Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme
GOV.UK – Veterinary Medicine Health Situation