Within the UK there is clear legislation with regards to dispensing veterinary medication and writing prescriptions.
To break everything down in the most succinct fashion medication is split into various categories based on their legal status and how they can be dispensed, impacting who can prescribe, supply, and purchase them:
- Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian (POM-V)
- Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person (POM-VPS)
- Non-Food Animal – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person (NFA-VPS)
- Authorised Veterinary Medicine – General Sales List (AVM-GSL)
The vast majority of the medication that is dispensed and prescribed within the practice falls into the POM-V category. On the back of the medications packet you will find these acronyms if they are licensed for horse use, making you aware of their category.
In order to dispense any POM-V medication the legalisation is clear. All animals require a physical examination before the medication is prescribed – this is a legal requirement within the uk and all Veterinary Surgeons must conform to this ( details of the specific legislation can be found listed in the links below ). This means every time a horse is prescribed either antibiotics or pain killers for any condition it requires an examination. This legislation is not new and has been law for many years.
In order to prescribe ongoing medication in the form of prescriptions the law is again very clear. Prescriptions are only valid for 28 days from the date of signing and must be redeemed within 6 months. After this period a prescription is no longer valid. Therefore any continued dispensing after this date requires the animal to be seen for POM-V medication.
There are differences for POM-VPS, NFA-VPS and AVM-GSL products.
