NOAH AGM

Since 1974 the codes of practice of first theABPI and then NOAH have required sales staff of animal medicines manufacturersto be trained. However it was not until1989 that NOAH recognising the need to define the training and the importanceof a specific qualification created a training committee to devise a scheme fortraining and qualifications.

In 1991 NOAH launched their new trainingprogramme for sales staff, which was compiled in collaboration with HarperAdams agricultural college, and this programme was estimated as requiring 200hours of study in preparing for the examination.

To support this initiative NOAH wrote intothe CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE PROMOTION OF ANIMAL MEDICINES as 14.1,Representatives must be registered with the animal medicines trainingregulatory authority (AMTRA) and hold the relevant AMTRA certificate whererequired.

In 1994 the manual was updated however somemember companies expressed concerns that there was a bias in the trainingto-wards production animals, which at that time was the largest market sector.

0ver recent years as businesses have becomemore focused into specific market sectors, another issue which arose was thatapart from satisfying the NOAH requirement for training there is no perceivedadded value to the trainee, or in some instances to the companies who fund thetraining.

For the past two years the AMTRAmanufacturers committee have looked at ways whereby we could provide trainingfor sales staff that would meet the needs of companies, and to seekaccreditation from a formal academic body i.e. The Open University. Today we can inform you that we haveachieved both.

After many hours of debate within committeeand taking the advice of the veterinarians on the committee, Dr Duggie McEwanbegan writing and editing a new manual.We believe that this new course will provide a balanced teaching forstudents, and member companies can be sure that the learning is directedto-wards their needs.

In the assessment of candidates for the AMTRAcertificate candidates will complete three papers two written and one oral.

Paper 1, which lasts 2 hours is shortquestions requiring single word or short sentences showing breadth of knowledgeof the syllabus.

Paper 2, three longer answers requiringtwo or three side of A4.

The candidate chooses the questions,which relate to the specialist modules in section 6.

ORAL. Wide ranging and searching questionsare asked across the whole syllabus.

With regards to the Open University we arecontinuing to work with them, in formatting and tailoring the course to meettheir needs for distance learning, and would hope to have completed this workby mid-June.: In mid June, after the work on formatting the new course materialhas been completed, a complementary copy of the new Manual will be sent to allthose students who are currently enrolled in the scheme and who are registeredwith AMTRA for the year 2002.

Our committee owes a great deal of thanks toDuggie McEwan for his work on this project and the reason he is not here to-dayto describe his work is due to him assessing an examination at Harper Adams.

One final request we have seen a reduction inthe membership of our committee over the past few years due to mergers etc, andwould appreciate if companies who are not currently involved with AMTRA werewilling to put forward a member of staff with a training interest to ensurethat we represent all sectors of the industry.

Thank you