First prize of £100 went to overall winner Lisa O’Donnell, Customer Development Manager for Novartis.

Ms O’Donnell said: “The NCAH has not only broadened my knowledge of clinical areas that I deal with at present but given me an overall insight and understanding of clinical diseases that affect our customers and end users. The course covers all species, ensuring a suitable level of knowledge and understanding exists should you decide to change roles within your career.”

Second overall winner was Helen Walker of Vetoquinol and the third overall winner was Richard Chew, now working for Zoetis.

There were two NCAH examinations during 2013. Ms O’Donnell was the top student in the May exam with Ms Walker and Mr Chew in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

In the September exam, Nadia Rogers from Novartis was top student, followed by Charlotte Hobby from Ceva in 2nd place and Gemma Cairns, MSD in 3rd.

The NOAH Certificate of Animal Health (NCAH) is designed to give candidates a thorough grounding in animal physiology, animal disease and treatment options, as well as giving them a full knowledge of the legal framework in which medicines are regulated, advertised and sold. It is aimed at sales staff in the animal health industry.

The NCAH evolved from the Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAH) certificate administered by AMTRA (Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority). It came under NOAH’s remit at the beginning of 2011 to avoid confusion with AMTRA’s Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) qualification. The qualification continues to be formally academically accredited by Harper Adams University under its jurisdiction as an institution with its own degree awarding powers. Harper Adams University also hosts the training courses and examinations.

NOAH Technical Executive, Donal Murphy, who presented the awards, said: “Congratulations to our top students this year – and indeed, to everyone that has achieved the NCAH qualification in 2013. NOAH believes it is very important that our representatives are qualified – indeed it’s written into the rules for NOAH membership that all companies' sales representatives (other than vets) involved in the direct technical selling of medicines (other than products classed as AVM-GSL) are on the NCAH Register and take the examination within two years of joining the industry.

“The NCAH qualification equips member company representatives be able to give their customers good support – so we call on you to spread the word about their level of qualification – and to use their expertise to your advantage!”