The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has updated its
guidance on the use of QR codes on authorised veterinary
medicinal product packaging.
The changes will allow marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) to
link QR codes on packaging to additional educational and
instructional material, supporting product users with extra
guidance.
What is changing
Our previous guidance permitted QR codes on packaging to only
link to non-public-facing material, such as internal
manufacturing information, or to the approved product text.
However, now MAHs can link to additional educational and
instructional content, provided it complies with new QR code
principles published on the Product Literature
Standards (PLS).
These updates are intended to improve digital access to product
information for veterinary professionals and product users.
What this means for pet owners and vets
These changes will make it easier for pet owners to access clear,
helpful information about the veterinary medicines they use.
You may start to see QR codes appearing on more veterinary
medicine packaging. Scanning these codes with your smartphone may
take you directly to educational and instructional content
provided by pharmaceutical companies - such as guidance on how to
administer the medicine correctly, what to expect during
treatment, or how to store the product safely.
This information is in addition to the instructions already on
the packaging and label. It is designed to help you feel
confident using veterinary medicines correctly and safely, which
matters for your animal's health and welfare.
Not all products will have QR codes on their packaging, as it is
not a requirement, additionally, pharmaceutical companies may use
QR codes for their own compliance and counterfeit contingencies
rather than public-facing informative purposes.
Gavin Hall, Deputy CEO VMD said
Updating our QR code guidance provides the opportunity for
additional digital educational and instructional material
alongside the essential information already included on
veterinary medicine packaging and in product leaflets. This
supplementary content can give vets and pet owners convenient
access to further guidance on the safe and effective use of
medicines.
We are committed to working with industry to embrace digital
innovation while maintaining the rigorous, risk-based standards
that protect animal and public health.
Next steps
The new QR code principles are published on the PLS. If you have a question
about the changes, please use our contact form.
