Hillary Cowley has joined the Animal Medicines Training and Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) as Deputy CEO, bringing veterinary experience and pharmacovigilance expertise to the independent regulatory body.
Latest news from Animal Medicines Training and Regulatory Authority (AMTRA).
Hillary will be largely supporting and working alongside Stephen Dawson, representing Animal Medicines Advisors (RAMAs) in their role, and raising awareness of their responsibilities within the animal medicines industry.
Hillary will also represent AMTRA in discussion and policy groups and liaise with stakeholders, providing the organisation with the resource, knowledge, and expertise to enable AMTRA to serve RAMAs and the industry more effectively.
A vet by profession, Hillary’s career began in mixed practice in Sub-Saharan Africa after graduating from the University of Zimbabwe. She came to the UK in 2003 and, after passing the RCVS Statutory Examination for membership, registered with them so that she could practice in the UK. Hillary then went on to work in companion animal and out of hours emergency practice.
A number of years at pharmaceutical companies in commercial roles followed, where she spent some time in regulatory affairs and almost a decade in pharmacovigilance. Here, Hillary valued ‘doing the right thing'. She became passionate about the role of pharmacovigilance in maintaining medicines in the marketplace, and demonstrating an ongoing benefit risk balance through this. Carried out properly, she believes it underpins the integrity of a product and the industry.
Using her existing knowledge of the veterinary industry, Hillary is keen to encourage vets and RAMAs to work together, helping to support animal owners and increase awareness of the resource RAMAs can offer and the knowledge they hold.
At a time of recent growth in companion animal ownership, Hillary believes it is an important time for the industry, and “an opportunity for RAMAs to do what they do really well - to advise animal owners on good husbandry, and strategic parasitic use to minimise the development of resistance, among other things.”
“I am delighted to join AMTRA and have this opportunity,” says Hillary.
“It’s an exciting time, and AMTRA will be playing a crucial role in helping to shape the future of the industry, representing those prescribing POM-VPS and GSL animal medicines and ensuring that the right actions are taken for the right reasons.”
“AMTRA has a solid reputation as a regulator, known for being robust and acting with integrity, so I am delighted to be a part of that team,” she continues.
Hillary’s first day in the position was during the AHDA Conference, which took place at the end of January this year. The event provided the perfect opportunity for Hillary to gain a thorough insight into the industry, and hear the current issues up for discussion.
A fortnight later, in Hillary’s second week in the role, the Veterinary Medicines Regulations consultation was launched by the VMD, setting out the proposed changes to the regulations. AMTRA will be a voice in this consultation, ensuring issues are addressed and that the regulations are useable.
“Everyone in the industry has common goals with respect to animal health and welfare, so it is important that goals are aligned to ensure the right access to the right medicines, and that these are prescribed, stored, administered and used in the correct way,” Hillary comments.
Hillary’s role will evolve with time, and in the immediate future, her appointment gives AMTRA the opportunity to strengthen industry relationships and work closer with its many stakeholders to understand how challenges can be resolved.
Alongside the new appointment, Stephen Dawson, who has headed up the organisation for 13 years, has a new title; though his role will remain the same, Stephen is now CEO of AMTRA, with Hillary fulfilling the role of his deputy.
“We are delighted to welcome Hillary to the AMTRA team,” says Stephen Dawson.
“She brings new skills and perspective to the many activities AMTRA is involved in, enabling us to better deliver on our aims. Hillary will also offer a fresh set of eyes to review the CPD and training offering, making it more seamless and accessible, and highlighting where improvements could be made,” he adds.