VMD Publishes Packaging Guidance for General Sales Medicines
Summary
The VMD has published new guidance clarifying packaging, pack size, and product information requirements for veterinary medicines intended for distribution under the Authorised Veterinary Medicine – General Sales List (AVM-GSL) category. The guidance applies to applicants seeking new marketing authorisations or variations to lower a product's distribution category to AVM-GSL, which permits sale without veterinary, pharmacist, or SQP involvement. Key requirements include clear product information on outer packaging, user-friendly language, and typical maximum pack sizes suitable for general sales distribution.
“AVM-GSL distributed products do not require any discussion between the purchaser and a veterinarian, pharmacist, or suitably qualified person (SQP).”
About this source
GovPing monitors UK VMD for new healthcare & life sciences regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 8 changes logged to date.
What changed
The VMD has published guidance specifying requirements for veterinary medicines to be authorised at the AVM-GSL distribution category, including what information must appear on outer packaging, required user-friendly language and phrasing, and typical maximum pack sizes. The guidance also clarifies that products under a single marketing authorisation number can have only one distribution category, meaning all pack sizes in that authorisation must comply with AVM-GSL requirements if any are seeking that classification.
Applicants for new products or those seeking to lower an existing product's distribution category (such as from NFA-VPS to AVM-GSL) should review this guidance when preparing their applications. Manufacturers should verify that all pack sizes within any authorisation seeking AVM-GSL status meet the stated packaging and size requirements.
Archived snapshot
Apr 28, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
News story
VMD clarifies packaging requirements for general sales medicines
The VMD has published new guidance on packaging, pack size and product information requirements for products intended to be distributed at AVM-GSL.
From: Veterinary Medicines Directorate Published 27 April 2026
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has published new guidance to help applicants for marketing authorisations or variations to understand the requirements for products to be considered suitable for distribution at Authorised Veterinary Medicine – General Sales List (AVM-GSL).
Why this matters
AVM‑GSL distributed products do not require any discussion between the purchaser and a veterinarian, pharmacist, or suitably qualified person (SQP). It is therefore essential that clear product information is easily available at the point of sale to help purchasers choose the right product for their animal.
Who this guidance is for
This guidance is for anyone intending to submit an application for a product at a distribution category of AVM‑GSL. This includes applications for new products and variations to lower the distribution category, for example moving from NFA‑VPS to AVM‑GSL.
What the guidance covers
The guidance explains:
- what information should be included on the outer package
- user‑friendly language, structure and phrases required on the packaging or in the product leaflet if separate
- the typical maximum pack size considered suitable for AVM-GSL distribution Applicants are reminded that products authorised under one marketing authorisation number can have only a single distribution category and therefore all pack sizes included in this authorisation should comply with the guidance.
About distribution categories
Distribution categories for veterinary medicines determine their supply route based on risk, with requirements for veterinary input decreasing from prescription-only to general sales.
There are four main legal distribution categories for authorised veterinary medicines in the UK:
- Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian (POM-V)
- Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP (POM-VPS)
- Non-Food Animal – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP (NFA-VPS)
- Authorised Veterinary Medicine – General Sales List (AVM-GSL) Please visit our guidance for more information on how the supply of veterinary medicines are restricted under each of these distribution categories.
Find out more
Read the full guidance: Apply to change a veterinary Marketing Authorisation or Homeopathic Remedy - GOV.UK.
For queries about the guidance, contact: postmaster@vmd.gov.uk.
Share this page
The following links open in a new tab
Updates to this page
Published 27 April 2026
Related changes
Get daily alerts for UK VMD
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Source
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from VMD.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when UK VMD publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.