News story
Supply of Veterinary Medicines to Northern Ireland from 1 January 2026
New rules governing the distribution of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland will apply from 1 January 2026.
On 19 June 2025, the Government published its paper ‘Protecting Animal Health: The Government’s Approach to Veterinary Medicines in Northern Ireland’.
This paper sets out important information for Marketing Authorisation Holders, Wholesale Dealers and Retailers and reports on the progress in safeguarding the ongoing supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, and the steps that the Government will take to support this.
The following guidance accompanies the Paper and provides further technical guidance which can be found on the VMD Information Hub - GOV.UK:
- Supplying veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland from 2026 – Guidance for Marketing Authorisation holders
- Supplying veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland from 2026 – Guidance for Wholesalers / Retailers
- Supplying veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland from 2026 – Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme - Guidance
- Supplying veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland from 2026 – Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme guidance
Please direct any queries to windsorframework@vmd.gov.uk
Updates to this page
Published 19 June 2025