Illegal Dog Meds From India Seized in Belfast
A courier firm in Belfast has intercepted a suspicious package packed with prescription-only veterinary medicines that aren’t authorised for UK use. The parcel, shipped from India and bound for a Belfast address, raised immediate red flags during inspection.
Unapproved Canine Vaccines and Tablets Confiscated
The Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland swiftly stepped in to seize the haul. Inside, inspectors found:
- 1,000 Prednisolone tablets for dogs
- 25 vials of Zoetis’s Vangard Plus 5 vaccine for dogs
- 5 vials of Nobivac KC 1 vaccine for dogs
These medicines require a veterinary prescription and are designed to protect dogs from serious diseases such as canine distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, coronavirus enteritis, leptospirosis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and parainfluenza.
Unauthorised Import Flouts UK Veterinary Law
None of these products are licensed or authorised for use in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Crucially, the package carried no valid certification to allow importation into the UK.
DAERA seized the medicines under Regulation 25 of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, which controls the import of unapproved veterinary drugs. Officials warn pet owners against sourcing unauthorised medications from overseas.
This is a reminder that bringing in unlicensed veterinary medicines risks animal welfare and breaks UK law.
