Sir,- Like many other BVA divisions, we have expressed concern about the gradual, and sometimes not so gradual, loss of veterinary medicinal products. Not alone are products withdrawn but we also lose flexibility in the way in which remaining products may be used. Members may be interested to know that there are a number of measures "in the pipe-line" which will further reduce our options in the prevention and treatment of disease. One such measure is entitled "Proposed Amendments to the Medicines (Restrictions on the Administration of Veterinary Medicinal Products) Regulations 1994". If confirmed, these new regulations will have a significant effect on medicines (mainly vaccine) availability in the UK. On the one hand, it will be possible to use authorised products (i.e. licensed elsewhere in the EU) as"comparator products" in clinical trials. On the other hand, the VMD is proposing to make it illegal to import "an unauthorised product into the UK for the purpose of administration". Here,in contrast, "unauthorised" continues to be interpreted as "unauthorised in the UK"!. One important exception would be that veterinarians resident in other EU countries could continue to bring with them and supply medicines, though they can only bring in enough for "daily requirements".Amelia 8, issued by VMD, clearly states (para 21) that "no suffering which can be treated without placing consumers at risk is acceptable". Surely this must apply even more so to suffering which may be prevented. Consumer risk is not an issue, because the products are licensed under EU procedures and meat from treated animals, and the treated animals themselves,may be imported into the UK without any restrictions. In actual fact consumer risk could, if anything, increase. By making personal imports illegal there is a greater risk that any materials which are brought in will be used outwith veterinary advice. UK-licensed products should usually be our first choice. However, personal imports can provide a significant "escape valve" which can help us deal with diseases for which there are no licensed products ,or situations in which the licensed product is temporarily not available or ineffective. "Emergency Import Procedures" in their current form are simply not capable of filling this need. These regulations would put UK veterinarians and agricultural industries at a competitive disadvantage with respect to colleagues/competitors in Europe. We have some reservations about the current arrangements, particularly with respect to live vaccines, but feel, on balance,that the best way to limit any associated risks is to keep these imports "in the open". Yours Sincerely,Paul McMullin (Honorary Secretary)