Croatia has adopted a new Law on Veterinary Medicines and Veterinary Medical Products, entering into force on 29 July. The legislation aligns national rules with Regulation (EU) 2019/6 and introduces a more modern regulatory framework for veterinary medicinal products.
Professional oversight maintained
According to the new law, the Croatian Veterinary Institute will take on key responsibilities such as the authorisation of veterinary medicinal products, pharmacovigilance, quality control and the collection of sales and usage data. A key point for the veterinary profession is that the sale of veterinary medicines will continue to be limited to qualified veterinarians and veterinary technicians who have passed the professional examination. Ivan Zemljak, President of the Croatian Veterinary Chamber, noted the law provides ‘a balanced and practical framework that keeps veterinary medicines under professional supervision while allowing veterinary pharmacies to operate efficiently.’
Facilitating online sales and antimicrobial monitoring
For the first time, veterinary pharmacies will be able to sell non-prescription veterinary medicines online using the official EU safety logo. Another important development is the introduction, from 1 January 2027, of mandatory electronic reporting of antimicrobial sales and use through the National Electronic Database for the Use of Veterinary Medicines. The system is expected to strengthen monitoring and support Croatia’s compliance with EU requirements on antimicrobial data collection.
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