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Guidance for vets, pharmacists and suitably qualified persons (SQPs) on prescribing or supplying veterinary medicines including the requirements for the registration and inspection of premises.

Registered Qualified Persons (RQP)

Under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) vets, pharmacists and SQPs, collectively known as RQPs, can prescribe or supply certain categories of authorised veterinary medicines that they are qualified and registered to supply.

The distribution categories for authorised medicines are:

• Prescription Only Medicine Veterinarian (POM-V)
• Prescription Only Medicine Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP (POM-VPS)
• Non-Food Animal Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP (NFA-VPS)
• Authorised Veterinary Medicine General Sales List (AVM-GSL)

The details and distribution categories for all medicines authorised for use in the UK can be found on the Veterinary Medicines Directorates Product Information Database.

In addition to the above there is also an exemption under Schedule 6 of the VMR that allows products for small pet animals to be supplied legally without a marketing authorisation.

For information on how to prescribe a product under the cascade, the provision in the VMR that allows a vet to prescribe medicines that would not otherwise be permitted, refer to the cascade guidance

POM-V medicines

A POM-V medicine may only be supplied if it has been prescribed by a vet following a clinical assessment of the animal, which must be under their care.

The VMR does not define clinical assessment or under their care and vets should use their professional judgment to interpret what this means in individual cases. However the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has interpreted both phrases.

A vet may supply a POM-V product they have prescribed or, if a client requests one, issue a written prescription for the client to buy the product from another supplier. In either case, the prescribing vet must retain clinical responsibility for the treatment and the animal under their care.

The vet or pharmacist should use their specialist knowledge to check that the prescription matches their own understanding of the product. If they have any concerns about the prescription, they should contact the prescribing vet before supplying the medicine. Suppliers can refuse to supply against a prescription.

POM-VPS medicines

A POM-VPS medicine may be prescribed by any RQP. A clinical assessment of the animal does not have to be carried out when prescribing POM-VPS medicines and the animal does not have to be under the RQPs care. However, the RQP must have sufficient information about the animal and the condition to be treated to enable them to prescribe and supply the most appropriate product.

A customer may request a written prescription if they want to buy the product from a supplier other than the prescribing RQP. RQPs may supply POM-VPS medicines against a written prescription from another RQP.

Pharmacists and SQPs may supply a POM-VPS, NFA-VPS or AVM-GSL medicine for use under the cascade if prescribed by a vet against a written prescription.

NFA-VPS medicines

A NFA-VPS medicine does not have to be prescribed but it may only be supplied by an RQP, provided the requirements for supply are followed.

AVM-GSL medicines

There are no legal restrictions on the retail supply of veterinary medicines classified as AVM-GSL.

Specific requirements: vets, pharmacists, SQPs

Vets

Registration

A vet may only prescribe and supply veterinary medicines, other than those classified as AVM-GSL, if they are registered with the RCVS.

Vets may only supply medicines from premises registered with the RCVS as a Veterinary Practice Premises (VPP).

A premises will be inspected following its initial registration and then at a frequency based on the risks associated with the premises history and the nature of the products handled.

For details of registration requirements under the VMR see the guidance on Registration and Inspection of VPPs.

Supplying

Vets must ensure that they meet the legal requirements for prescribing and supplying POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS however the product is supplied, for example a postal supply.

A vet supplying a veterinary medicine, other than one classified as AVM-GSL, must be present when it is handed over unless they:

• authorise each transaction individually before the product is supplied
• are satisfied that the person who hands it over is competent to do so

Delegating supply

If the vet intends to delegate supply to other competent personnel, the supply must still be made from a registered VPP.

However, in exceptional circumstances, for example animal welfare reasons, a vet may instruct a wholesale dealer authorisation (WDA) holder to deliver medicines directly to the clients premises.

Mobile units

A mobile treatment unit operated by a vet does not require individual registration if it is linked to a registered VPP. However, it will be inspected with the practice. Refer to the section on registering trade stands.

Pharmacists

A registered pharmacist may only supply veterinary medicines, other than those classified as AVM-GSL, from premises:

• registered as a pharmacy with either the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
• registered as a VPP
• authorised for the storage and supply of veterinary medicines by an SQP (see Suitably Qualified Persons)

A pharmacist supplying veterinary medicines, other than one classified as AVM-GSL, must be present when it is handed over, unless the pharmacist:

• authorises each transaction individually before the product is supplied
• is satisfied that the person who hands it over is competent to do so

A pharmacist must ensure that they meet the legal requirements for the prescribing and supplying POM-VPS, and NFA-VPS however the product is supplied, for example, supply in a shop or postal supply.

A pharmacist may prepare and supply an extemporaneous preparation for use under the cascade, against a written prescription from a vet. The product should be made using pharmacopoeia compliant raw materials. The product should meet the requirements of the relevant general monographs of the pharmacopoeia. It may be supplied directly to the user.

Suitably Qualified Persons

SQPs may only supply veterinary medicines that they are qualified and registered to supply. For example, an SQP registered in companion animals may only supply companion animal products.

SQPs must ensure that they meet the legal requirements for prescribing and supplying POM-VPS and NFA-VPS however the product is supplied, for example, supply in a shop or postal supply.

An SQP must comply with the Code of Practice which can be found on the applying for authorisation of an SQP retailer premises page. Information on how to become an SQP is available from the Animal Medicines Training Regulato

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