What are ESPA medications?

• A. Medications that require a full marketing authorisation
• B. Medications which may be placed on the market without a marketing authorisation, subject to certain treatments
• C. Medications only for human use
• D. Medications banned in all forms

Answer: (B)

ESPA medications are products that can be placed on the market without a full marketing authorisation, but only under defined conditions for use in animals. This allows a veterinary surgeon to provide a medicine when no licensed product exists for a specific treatment, subject to restrictions on the indication, species, dosage, labeling, and record-keeping. They’re not limited to human medicines and aren’t banned; they exist to ensure access to needed therapies under strict control.