1. ML MOROE-RULASHE DAFF-SOUTH AFRICA.
Update on the promotion/acceptance of existing VICH in South Africa, since the last meeting.
ML MOROE-RULASHE
DAFF-SOUTH AFRICA.

2. VICH Promotion in the Country (RSA):
INVOLVEMENT IN VICH FORUM:
RESULTED IN PROMOTION ITSELF
Initial Need for Education/ explanation of VICH and its work SA regulator
Higher management (DG, DDG, CD)
Chief Operational Manager
To acquire support for continues participation (financial + operational)
Presentation had to be (was) done on VICH

3. VICH Promotion in the Country (RSA):
Presentation covered
What is VICH?
What is the role of VICH versus OIE and CODEX,
Regulatory Authority and VMPs in South Africa and how or where VICH fits in,
What is the benefit of the VICH guidelines and the harmonisation process?
Benefits to South Africa: Its involvement with VICH.
OPERATIONAL SUPPORT? Meaning:
Addition of VICH Forum into the operational Plans of the Regulators
VICH Forum participation be included into the Budget.

4. Activities on promotion/ usage of VICH and its Guidelines.
Emphasised on the need to have the SA guidelines in line with international
guidelines:(VICH in particular)
Review process initiated on:
Nationally published guidelines
Policy on “Stock Remedies” (non-scheduled) in South Africa.
Published for Comments
A general policy on the control of over the counter Vet Meds.
Aims to inform legislation, regulations, guidelines and programs on control of these drugs.
Consultation: Publication of the policy
Encourage discussions with stakeholder on the content of the policy document
Policy takes into account that the audience is not an expert in the field- simple language is used
Content also includes: VICH

5. Activities on promotion/ usage of VICH and its Guidelines.
Policy content with reference to VICH
Defined it.
stakeholder to understand what it is
Understand what they do.
Referred to it and promoted use of guideline(s)
SR Policy outlined some deficiencies/shortfalls in the control or regulations of Vet Meds and ways to address them
Guidelines on environmental safety one of the shortfalls
VICH GL6 Ecotoxicity - Phase 1 also Phase 2

6. Activities on promotion/ usage of VICH and its Guidelines.
Some/other reasons for inclusion in policy
(can be/is of benefit to both stakeholder and regulators)
Indirectly:
Outline the benefits
Realised the NEED to Clarify the aims or the objectives as outlined by VICH.
(Conclusions of short survey conducted among stakeholders in RSA)
General misunderstanding of VICH guidelines
seen as requirement not guidelines
and that they are too stringent
not for small markets
(not really cost effective).
Costs of studies vs potential local market