Veterinary medicine packaging to face market checks in the UK
Published: 20 Mar 2026
Author: Precedence Research
The UK’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has announced the launch of a new Veterinary Medicines Packaging Surveillance Scheme, set to come into force on 2 February 2026. The VMD is a regulatory body responsible for overseeing veterinary medicines and medicated animal feed in the UK. This initiative marks a significant shift in how packaging compliance for veterinary medicines is assessed in the UK.
The VMD will conduct quarterly checks on selected veterinary medicines already available on the market. This assessment will then verify whether the packaging complies with the approved product information text and principles outlined in the Product. The main objective is to ensure that packaging in real-world circulation remains compliant throughout a product’s lifecycle.
The results of each quarterly assessment will be shared with the relevant Market Authorisation Holder (MAH) during the review period. Where issues are identified and regulatory response will be proportionate to the severity of non-compliance.
According to Towards Packaging, the Animal Healthcare Packaging Market is projected to experience significant growth, with estimates suggesting the market size will increase from USD 3.63 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 5.73 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2026 to 2035. The main purpose is to reduce the regulatory burden and decrease the time to market by eliminating routine packaging. It also allows the VMD to focus on cases where design or readability could pose a compliance risk.
New Surveillance Model
Mock-ups will no longer be required for certain regulatory procedures, including G.I. 18. The VMD will instead rely more heavily on post-market checks to ensure packaging accuracy and consistency.
The first introduction of packaging before marketing, joint regulatory assessments with international partners, or when significant design or layout changes are proposed that are not directly linked to updates in the Summary of Product, Mock-up assessments will still be requested in specific situations.
The new scheme reflects a broader regulatory trend toward streamlined oversight and reduced administrative burden, while maintaining high standards of safety, clarity, and traceability in veterinary medicines packaging.
A recent report by Towards Packaging highlights that the Animal Healthcare Packaging Market is maintaining high standards of safety, clarity, and traceability in veterinary medicines packaging. For manufacturers and packaging suppliers, it signals a growing emphasis on ongoing compliance in market conditions, rather than approval-driven checks alone.