Drug classification

Question 1

What are POM-V drugs and when can they be dispensed?

Answer 1

Prescription Only Medication- Veterinarian

May only be dispensed:

• Once prescribed by veterinary surgeon
• Following diagnosis/clinical assessment of the animal under his/her care
• Written prescription required if prescribing VS not supplying
• Another VS or pharmacist may dispense against a prescription from registered premises

Question 2

What are POM-VPS drugs and when can they be dispensed?

Answer 2

Prescription-Only Medicine – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person (SQP)

• May only be supplied after being prescribed by VS, Pharmacist or SQP
• Animal need not be under his/her care
• Prior clinical assessment not prerequisite
• Relates to livestock (medicinal feedstuffs, antiparasiticides)

Question 3

What are controlled drugs?

Answer 3

A division of POM drugs placed in the category of POM-V. The drugs are arranged into 5 schedules. These drugs may only be prescribed by a VS or VS pharmacist.

Question 4

What are AVM-GSL drugs?

Answer 4

Authorised Veterinary Medicine – General Sales List

• May be supplied by any retailer
• No restrictions on their supply
• Veterinary medicines deemed to be extremely safe
• Shampoos, other products with very small amounts of active ingredient

Question 5

Name some Schedule 1 drugs

Answer 5

Cannabis, LSD, Raw opium

Question 6

What are NFA-VPS drugs?

Answer 6

Non-Food Animal Medicine – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person

• As for POM-VPS but must be for non-food animals
• Companion animals, including horses
• Mainly antiparasitic products
• Can only be supplied from registered premises

Question 7

Name some Schedule 2 drugs

Answer 7

Ketamine, Methadone, Fentanyl, Pethidine, Morphine

Question 8

How are Schedule 2 drugs recorded?

Answer 8

All purchases and each individual supply must be recorded within 24 hours in a bound CD register

• Inedible ink
• Chronological order
• Separate section for each drug
• Running total for each drug
• Mistakes should not be written over (marginal note made, dated and signed)
• Register must be kept for minimum of 2 years
• Entries signed by VS

Question 9

How are Schedule 2 drugs stored?

Answer 9

Must be stored in locked receptacle which can only be opened by a VS or person authorised by them to do so. Must not have one communal key.

Question 10

Name some Schedule 3 drugs?

Answer 10

Bupernorphine, Phenobarbital, Pentobarbital, Petazocine

Question 11

How are Schedule 3 drugs stored?

Answer 11

Most are not subject to special storage requirements however Buprenorphine must be kept in locked receptacle.
It is recommended that all are locked away

Question 12

How are Schedule 3 drugs recorded?

Answer 12

Administration and dispensing does not have to be recorded in CD register. However prescribing these drugs is the same as schedule 2 (POM-V)

Question 13

Name some Schedule 4 drugs

Answer 13

Diazepam, Nandralone, Benzodiazepines, Anabolic substances

Question 14

Name some Schedule 5 drugs

Answer 14

Codeine, Morphine (in very low doses)

Question 15

How are Schedule 4 and 5 drugs stored?

Answer 15

no special storage requirements needed

Question 16

How are Schedule 4 and 5 drugs recorded?

Answer 16

No special recording requirements. Invoices of drugs sold must be kept for 2 years

Question 17

How are drugs labelled?

Answer 17

According to the BSAVA, all POM-V labels must have a label attached but do not have to be sold in their original packaging.

labels must contain:

• The name and address of the practice
• Patient name and address of the animal owner
• Date of supply
• Name, strength and quantity of product
• Dosage and directions for use
• ‘For animal treatment only’
• For topical preparations: ‘For external use only’.
• Any special storage requirements

Question 18

How are controlled drugs prescribed?

Answer 18

Must include:

• the name and address of the practice
• date
• the drug name and dose in numbers and figures
• schedule 2 and 3 drugs should be non-repeat and marked as such
• prescriptions must be signed by an authorised VS
• maximum of 28 days of CDs to be prescribed at any one time

Question 19

How are controlled drugs disposed of?

Answer 19

Destruction must take place in presence of a person authorised by Secretary of State.