VMD adverse events reporting suspended Overview and interim measures

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is the UK government’s veterinary regulator. They oversee licensing of animal medicines and manage pharmacovigilance, which means monitoring safety concerns, adverse reactions in animals and humans, lack of efficacy, and environmental impacts from veterinary products, including wormers.

Vets and SQPs were required by RCVS and SQP codes to report qualifying events and members of the public could report voluntarily. Data collected enabled the VMD (with marketing authorisation holders) to detect emerging safety or efficacy signals, update product literature, issue safety bulletins, and take regulatory action.

Cancelling it now means a loss of independent oversight at a time where there are growing issues with adverse-event reporting by pharma firms. There have been several high-profile cases recently which found under‑reporting and lack of transparency in these channels.

With vets and SQPs no longer able to report directly to the VMD, the oversight burden shifts solely to pharma marketing authorisation holders. Any spontaneous reports from professionals and animal owners often reveal 'real-world' problems ahead of data from companies. There are concerns that issues might go unreported or downplayed as a result and delay critical safety signals. 

This move is at odds with wider transparency goals, coming at a time when human‑medicine reporting is undergoing reforms to strengthen pharmacovigilance.

The VMD played a crucial role in allowing vets and SQPs to report adverse events independently, reinforcing pharma‑company data. Suspending this service at a time when pharmaceutical reporting standards are under scrutiny undermines transparency and is an apparent backward step, particularly in light of the issues surrounding antimicrobial resistance.

The VMD has been rolling out the Veterinary Medicines Digital Service for tasks like licence applications and adverse-event reporting by MAHs. It’s possible the old portal has been taken offline while migrating to a unified digital system—but there’s no public timeline. The absence of a clear public justification raises concern about either technical delays, policy shifts, or capacity issues, especially when the shift places full reporting responsibility on pharmaceutical companies.

The suspension remains indefinite and unexplained. While a move to a new digital system seems likely, there’s no confirmation or schedule available publicly. For veterinary professionals and SQPs, this means an urgent need for interim guidance until the VMD provides clarity.

Until more is known, Westgate have produced a PDF document with guidance on how to report an adverse event, which can be accessed below.