The first Forum of Veterinary Pharmaceuticals, hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), concluded today. The forum aimed to raise the awareness of veterinarians working in the private sector about the importance of registering veterinary pharmaceuticals, the risks of contraband and unlicensed drugs on animal and human health, and the mechanisms of bacterial antibiotic resistance.

The three-day forum was sponsored by Gulf Rider, a UAE-based veterinary medicines and equipment trading firm, and Zoetis Inc., the largest global animal health company.

The forum included an array of seminars, lectures and interactive workshops and drew the participation of international veterinary and animal health experts from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), as well as leading local veterinarians, students of veterinary medicine, pharmacists and industry stakeholders from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Egypt.

Divided into working groups, the participants examined the major challenges facing veterinary medicine today, and the legislations and work mechanisms necessary to overcome them. They also gained key insights into the regional and international laws governing this sector, particularly in relation to veterinary product registration and veterinary medicine permits.

The participants learned how to identify unlicensed and counterfeit products and enhanced their understanding of best practices in the manufacture, transport, and storage of veterinary medicines. The forum also highlighted the importance of rationalizing the use of antibiotics and developing alternatives to reduce bacterial antibiotic resistance.

In addition, the participants showcased specific examples that illustrated the experiences of their countries and the procedures each followed in registering veterinary products.