Ensuring access to quality veterinary products

The definition of veterinary products can vary from country to country. At WOAH, it covers vaccines, veterinary medicines, including antimicrobial agents and diagnostic kits. These products are key tools in the prevention, treatment and control of animal diseases, including pain relief for animals. Ensuring and monitoring their quality is critical to protect animal health and welfare, safeguard public health, and preserve the effectiveness of treatments. With the global rise of antimicrobial resistance, some of these veterinary products must be managed with specific care.  

In this area, WOAH’s work is supported by world-leading Collaborating Centres and Reference laboratories with different areas of competencies, including on antimicrobial resistance and the quality of veterinary products. They provide scientific expertise and guidance to reinforce global efforts. 

In 2018, the veterinary market for approved products was approximately
US $30 billion. By 2021, the global animal health sector had grown to US $38.3 billion, with sales rising across all regions.

Veterinary products sold in the global market (in %)

Developing reference documents for veterinary products  

WOAH develops international standards, guidelines and recommendations to support Members in their use of veterinary products. They can be found in the following reference documents:  

As part of this framework, a specific strategy on diagnostic tests has been designed, as tests are key tools for the detection, management and control of animal diseases. 

WOAH also developed Practical Guidelines for National Procurement of Veterinary Vaccines to support Members in the identification and procurement of quality assured veterinary vaccines; guidance on How to set up a Pharmacovigilance System; and guidance on Responsible and prudent use of anthelmintic chemical to help control anthelmintic resistance in grazing livestock species. 

Strengthening the regulation of veterinary products 

WOAH supports initiatives that improve the predictability, efficiency, and transparency of regulatory processes for veterinary products. Streamlining these processes is key to increasing product availability—an essential step toward strengthening animal health systems and boosting livestock production worldwide. 

A flagship example is the Better Regulation project: a three-year, multi-partner initiative led by WOAH in collaboration with GALVmed, the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (UK-VMD), and the East African Community (EAC), with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The project focuses on enhancing regulatory frameworks for veterinary products in sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to improve access to safe, effective animal health solutions for millions of livestock farmers. In this region, nearly two-thirds of rural households depend on livestock, and the food security and livelihoods of around 350 million people rely directly on healthy animals. By fostering regional collaboration and regulatory convergence, the Better Regulation project contributes to long-term improvements in animal health, agricultural resilience, and economic development. 

Improving access to good quality veterinary products 

Based on recommendations and feedback gathered from Focal Points for Veterinary Products during multiple WOAH training seminars, critical gaps have been identified in Members’ capacity to ensure the quality of veterinary products post-registration. In particular, many countries face persistent challenges in the prevention, detection, and response to substandard and falsified veterinary products (SFVPs). 

These deficiencies pose a serious risk to animal and public health, as SFVPs can undermine national and global efforts to control or contain epizootics, and ultimately eradicate diseases, including zoonoses. 

To help address these challenges, WOAH has launched the SFVP programme — a comprehensive initiative promoting a cross-sectoral and transboundary approach to support its Members. The SFVP programme aims to strengthen surveillance systems, improve incident reporting and risk assessment, and foster international collaboration to manage SFVPs more effectively and consistently across borders.

As part of this initiative, the VSAFE-pilot has been introduced, which serves as a monitoring and surveillance system for SFVPs and lays the groundwork for an upgraded reporting system. Additionally, the programme includes the drafting of guidance documents, the establishment of laboratory networks, and various awareness-raising and communication activities.

Working toward unified veterinary legislation 

To enhance the quality and oversight of veterinary products globally, WOAH actively promotes the harmonisation of veterinary legislation across its Members. 

Working with the National Focal Points for Veterinary Products, WOAH provides technical support to national Delegates, helping align national policies with international standards and strengthen regulatory frameworks. 

WOAH also plays a key role in international regulatory harmonisation as an associate member of the VICH initiative which has brought together the European Union, Japan and the USA since 1996 in an effort to unify technical requirements for the registration of veterinary medicinal products. In particular, WOAH supports the VICH Forum, launched in 2011 to extend participation to countries beyond the founding members and promote global regulatory convergence in veterinary product oversight. 

These efforts contribute directly to improving access to quality-assured veterinary medicines and ensuring consistent, science-based regulation across borders. 

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