Animal Medicines Australia 2024 Animal Health Insights day

Earlier this week, Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) held its inaugural Animal Health Insight Conference, bringing together animal health industry leaders to explore how the sector can prepare for the various challenges, risks, and opportunities that will present themselves in the coming 3 to 5 years.  

^{AMA Executive Director Ben Stapley (Photo: Animal Medicines Australia)}

AMA Executive Director Ben Stapley addressed the conference: “The animal sector faces various political, economic, regulatory, and environmental disruptions, which will present both challenges and opportunities for AMA members, our customers, and industry stakeholders.” 

Ben said, “We must work together to face these challenges and identify and take advantage of opportunities to ensure our farmers, veterinarians and pet owners have access to safe, reliable veterinary medicines and are equipped to use these medicines responsibly.”  

^{AVA Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy, Dr Alice Marshall (Photo: Animal Medicines Australia)}

The AVA was invited to speak about ‘The challenges and opportunities in facilitating access to veterinary medicines for all Australians.’ Dr Alice Marshall, AVA Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy, provided an overview of the Australian veterinary industry, an insight into workforce shortage issues and what needs to be done to support the veterinary workforce, and a snapshot of recent medicines-related advocacy work, such as AMR, scheduled medicines, IV fluids, and the 2021 Agvet chemical regulatory framework review. 

DAFF presented on National actions to support access to veterinary medicines and the importance of using One Health principles, and the new APVMA CEO, Scott Hansen, provided an update on his first 60 days in the job and where the APVMA was heading.  

^{AMA Insights Day (Photo: Animal Medicines Australia)}

Representatives from Meat and Livestock Australia and Dairy Australia gave fantastic presentations on how the organisations are addressing key productivity and sustainability challenges and responding to social licence questions. 

Other discussion topics included cost of living pressures, antimicrobial stewardship, regulatory challenges and global trends affecting the animal health sector including how we can help to prepare our Australian industry.  

AVA congratulates AMA for an insightful and thought-provoking day and thanks the AMA team for the opportunity to be involved.