- 29 de Enero de 2025
In this blog, we explain the key changes in veterinary medicines under the application of Royal Decree 666/2023.
Royal Decree 666/2023 represents a change in the regulation of veterinary medicines in Spain. Designed to align national laws with European Regulation (EU) 2019/6, this regulation aims to ensure the responsible use of veterinary medicines and improve the health of both animals and people.
Main objectives
- Rational use of medicines: Promote careful use, especially of antibiotics, to reduce resistance and protect human and animal health.
- Adaptation to European regulations: Establish a common framework in the European Union to ensure uniform control of veterinary medicines.
Key changes
- Mandatory clinical examination: Before prescribing any medication, veterinarians must perform a clinical examination to assess the animal’s health.
- Antibiotic restrictions: These medicines are subject to specific categories that limit their use to prevent resistance.
- Mandatory microchip: From January 2025, dogs, cats, and ferrets over six months old must have a microchip, which is the owner’s responsibility. If they do not have one, medication can be prescribed by registering the animal’s owner.
- Specific prohibitions: The use of veterinary medicines according to the treatment cascade is restricted, removing the prescribing veterinarian’s clinical criteria.
Essential prescription rules
- Prior diagnosis: Any medication must be prescribed after an animal health check.
- Official prescription: Controlled medicines can only be obtained with an official prescription.
- Preventive restrictions: Antibiotics cannot be prescribed preventively, except in justified situations.
- Limited validity: Prescriptions have a defined validity period and should only cover the necessary treatment duration.
Strict antimicrobial control
- Category restrictions: Some antibiotics essential for human health have very limited use in animals.
- Mandatory record-keeping: Veterinarians must document and report the use of these medicines.
Conclusion
Royal Decree 666/2023 strengthens the control of veterinary medicines, ensuring safe and efficient use. These measures not only improve animal health but also prevent issues such as antimicrobial resistance. At Animal Salut, we follow these regulations to provide the best care for your animals and guarantee their well-being.
