Veterinary Medicines

The Veterinary Medicines Unit of SAHPRA protects animal health by assuring the quality, safety and efficacy of veterinary medicines. Our work also helps to protect the safety of food derived from animals by establishing withdrawal periods. We continue to play a role in antimicrobial resistance for companion and food producing animals.

Our responsibilities

  • Assessing veterinary medicine applications in terms of quality, safety and efficacy
  • Monitoring and taking action on reports of adverse drug reactions reported
  • Developing/updating policy and guidance on regulation and control of veterinary medicines
  • Authorisation of use of unregistered veterinary medicines under Section 21 (Act 101, 1965)
  • Authorisation of clinical trial protocols

 

The unit’s employees come from backgrounds of veterinary medicine, pharmacology, pharmacy and animal science while our advisory committees have expertise in veterinary medicine fields such as: wildlife, microbiology, toxicology, pharmacology, epidemiology, poultry, porcine and companion animal medicine, theriogeniology and animal production/herd health.

Veterinary Guidelines

VICH Guidelines adopted

SAHPRA develops/updates and implements science-based technical requirements for veterinary medicines. South Africa recognises the importance of global collaboration with other players in veterinary medicines registration and therefore obtained observer status in VICH (International Cooperation on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products) in February 2013. In our endeavour to harmonise with the rest of the VICH member/observer countries SAHPRA has adopted VICH guidelines, and endorses the principles and practices described therein.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for registration of a veterinary medicine in South Africa?

A citizen, resident in South Africa.

Which veterinary products are registerable with Act 101, 1965?

Scheduled medicines including antibiotics.

How do I apply for permission to carry out a veterinary medicine clinical trial? What is the relevance of Act 35/1984 in that process?

Complete the VCT1 application form as per the guideline document: “Guideline on completion of the veterinary medicines clinical trial application form”. Attach the completed “Owner Consent form” and proof of payment as per “SAHPRA Fees Gazette no 42474”. Where biological medicines are used in the study, approval should also be sought from Section 20 of Act 35/1984 (Animal Disease Act). Approval by both departments should be granted before commencement of the study.

How do I apply for use of an unregistered veterinary medicine from SAHPRA? What is the cost involved? What is the expected turnaround time for authorisation? For how long is the authorisation letter valid?

The “Authority may authorise sale of unregistered products, medical devices or IVDs for certain purposes”. The forms are available on the website under “Veterinary medicines”. Complete the application form (GLF-PEM-VET-01A), attach proof of payment (SAHPRA Fees Gazette no 42474) and email to pervetS21@sahpra.org.za. If this is a repeat request please include a completed progress report (GLF-PEM-VET-01B_v3) as well (see guideline: SAHPGL-PEM-VET-01_v4 Guidelines on Access to Unregistered Veterinary Medicines”. Each patient must have their own application form completed. If all the information submitted is correct and there are no queries, the turnaround time is within 3 working days.

Which SAHPRA guideline takes into account Minor Use Minor Species (MUMS)?

Guideline: SAHPGL-PEM-VET-01 Veterinary medicines exemptions from certain medicine registration requirements

Contact details

Status of applications after checking the tracker:

Tel: 012 501 0318
vetqueries@sahpra.org.za

Registration certificates for all new vet applications for registration:

Tel: 012 501 0318
newvetcertificates@sahpra.org.za

Request for application numbers:

Tel: 012 501 0318
vetmedicines@sahpra.org.za

Section 21s and clinical trial applications:

Tel: 012 015 5449
pervetS21@sahpra.org.za

Submissions of special requests and projects:

Tel: 012 501 0426
pervetqueries@sahpra.org.za:

Veterinary medicines technical requirements:

Tel: 012 501 0426
alice.sigobodhla@sahpra.org.za