Repeat Prescriptions Policy

Written Prescription Protocol 

A veterinary surgeon may make a reasonable charge for a written prescription.

A practice can only prescribe POM V medicines for an animal under the care of the prescribing veterinary surgeon and following their clinical assessment of the animals.

The RCVS interpret as “under the care “as  

  • The Vet must have been given responsibility for the health of the animal by the owner or owners agent.
  • The responsibility must be real not nominal.
  • The animal must have been seen immediately before prescription or recently enough or often enough for the veterinary surgeon to have personal knowledge of the animal to make a diagnosis and prescribe.

It is not under his care where there has been no physical examination.

Medical Prescriptions

  • The length of a prescription, whether written or dispensed, is a clinical decision that should be based upon the medical needs of the patient.
  • If the consulting or dispensing vet agrees/prescribes anything outside of the “norm” for the medication or the condition being treated, then the vet needs to put an entry in the clinical notes to record and justify this action.
  • A written prescription or dispensed prescription can be given for a maximum of 6 months. 
  • The maximum prescription for controlled drugs remains at 1 month (see controlled drugs policy).
  • The prescription is animal specific. The animal must have been examined as per Vet’s request, however the period between examinations must never be longer than 6 months.
  • A check-up fee should always be charged when the animal is examined.
  • The prescription should be in the form of 1-month plus 5 repeats.
  • An authentication sticker must be attached to each prescription and the electronic copy updated in Merlin with this number.
  • The prescription must have appropriate signatures.

Flea/Worm Prevention Prescriptions

  • For dispensed prescriptions, the normal prescription length is three months. In limited circumstances this can be extended to an absolute maximum of 12 months, but the reason for the extension needs to be justified and recorded.
  • A written prescription should be given for 12 months. 
  • The prescription is animal specific. The animal must have been examined within the last 12 months. Examination and prescription must be done at the same time.
  • Where the owner decides to utilise that prescription, the product can be dispensed/prescribed for a period of up to 12 months from examination. 
  • An up-to-date weight for the animal is required.
  • If the animal has changed weight category or the client is requesting a different product then the prescription must be prescribed by a vet.
  • A check-up fee must always be charged. One fee may cover multiple animals if limited to flea/worm prevention.
  • The prescription should be in the form of 1-month plus 11 repeats.
  • An authentication sticker must be attached to each prescription and and the electronic copy updated in Merlin with this number.
  • The prescription must have appropriate signatures.

Prescription Fees

Single Prescriptions

  • A prescription for one animal and one drug type.
  • The charge for a single prescription is £25

Multiple Prescriptions

  • A prescription for more than one animal for the same drug or the same animal with multiple drugs to a maximum of three animals or three drugs.
  • The charge is for a multiple prescription is £35

General Information

  • Prescriptions should never be sent by post or e mail
  • The format of the prescription is dependent on how the drug is dispensed.
  • If a prescription is required for multiple animals and multiple drug two prescription charges are applicable.
  • When a request for a repeat prescription is received, the receptionist should check the previous notes to see if the Vet has stated when animal must be examined next. If they have not commented their request on the animal’s records, then the standard rules apply.
  • If an appointment is required for a repeat prescription, reception make an appointment as normal.
  • If no appointment is required, enter the repeat prescription request into the repeats list in the diary. Inform the customer the prescription has been submitted for approval and if it is approved it will be ready for collection in 3 working days. If the request is not approved, then they will be contacted by telephone to discuss the matter further.
  • If the request is declined the Vet should ring the owner immediately to discuss next steps. If there is no reply or it is outside acceptable contact hours e.g. before 8am or after 8pm then the vet writes full clinical notes to clarify the position and adds a message for reception onto the message list and reception will contact the customer.