A SPECIALIST pharmacy for animals is lined up for expansion, creating jobs in an isolated rural area, if Government proposals go ahead.

Hyperdrug Pharmaceuticals, based in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, already has a 70 per cent market share of the national, £2.5m pigeon vaccines market.

The company could be set for even more expansion if the Government rules in favour of plans to make vets give out prescriptions.

If that happens, pet owners or farmers will get written prescriptions from the vets and then can shop around for the cheapest drugs.

Hyperdrug, which specialises in medicines and other products for dogs, cats, horses, racing pigeons and farm animals, has completed a 4,000sq ft extension to its warehouse.

It has also made improvements including new "clean rooms" to produce and pack products in a sterile environment and two preparation rooms.

Director and veterinary pharmacist Geoff Watson said: "Hyperdrug had no hesitation in investing in Middleton in Teesdale and feel this is the ideal location for our business and we hope that this investment will be beneficial to the community.

"As the business continues to grow so will the workforce.

"Veterinary pharmacy is approaching a very important time and, depending on implementation of proposals from the Competition Commission, the whole business could experience a dramatic positive change.

"The new clean rooms are also a major boost to the business and allow us to work in a completely sterile environment as the filtration system removes mould spores, bacteria and dust particles.

"The increased storage space allows us to add to the product range and improve the service to all our clients."

Hyperdrug supplies prescriptions to customers all over the UK and has a mini call centre on-site to deal with inquiries.

The Competition Commission ruling could allow it to purchase animal drugs from manufacturers at the same price as vets.

Vets will also be under obligation to display price information in surgeries, allowing pharmacies to compete more effectively.

Mr Watson estimates that his prices are, on average, about a third of the prices vets charge customers for drugs.