Health and Safety Flashcards
What types of animals can legislation in veterinary medicine apply to?
- Livestock (must stricter rules for the role and use of drugs, especially if the animal is entering the food chain)
- Companion animals, including dogs, cats and rabbits
What are the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (2005)?
The main legislation regarding veterinary medicine in the UK. It covers:
- the control of veterinary medicine
- marketing authorisations for veterinary medicines
- classification of veterinary medicines
- requirements for SQPs
What year were the Veterinary Medicine Regulations introduced?
2005
Define an SQP
A person who is permitted to prescribe and supply veterinary medicines that fall into the, POM-VPS, NFA-VPS and AVM-GSL categories
What can a SQP help to control/manage?
- Prescription requirements
- Registration of premises
- Storage requirements for drugs including temperature and light requirements
What is the prescribing cascade?
A set of rules that allows the prescription of medicines to animals that may be off license, human medicines, or imported, if there is no suitable alternative. Should always be used in order
What does an off license product require?
Signed disclaimer from the owner acknowledging that the drug is off license
Define OFF LICENSE
An medicine that has no license for use in a specific species, or for a specific condition. i.e. it has not been specifically tested in that species or for that condition
An example is the use of omeprazole in dogs
What is the first step of the prescribing cascade?
A medicine authorised for treatment of the condition in a target species i.e. there is a dedicated drug used to treat a specific condition in a particular species
What is the second step of the prescribing cascade?
Use of another veterinary medicine authorised in the UK. This may be for another species or a drug designed to treat a different condition
What is the third step of the prescribing cascade?
Use of UK human medicine or imported EU veterinary medicines (anything being imported requires a Special Import Certificate)
What is a Special Import Certificate?
A certificate that allows the importation of a veterinary medicine from another country when there is no suitable alternative in the UK. The certificate must be signed by the prescribing vet
What is the fourth step of the prescribing cascade?
Medicines that are prepared extemporaneously (specials). Must be formulated by a vet surgeon, authorised specials manufacturer, or pharmacy.
Not common, needs strong clinical justification
What is the fifth step of the prescribing cascade?
Medicines that are human or veterinary imported from outside the EU
What are the 4 distributions of licensed veterinary medicines?
POM-V
POM-VPS
NFA-VPS
AVM-GSL
Who can prescribe a POM-V medication?
A vet.
The animal must be under their care, must have been seen recently for a clinical examination, and the vet should be working with a diagnosis or possible diagnosis
What are the rules surrounding remote prescribing?
Generally in emergency situations only. Has to have strong clinical justification
What are some examples of POM-V drugs?
Anti-inflammatories (such as metacam/meloxaid), antibiotics, some flea and worm treatments
Who can prescribe a POM-VPS medicine?
A vet, a pharmacist, or an SQP.
This drug category does not require a clinical examination, or diagnosis. Mainly used for farm animals.
What are some examples of POM-VPS drugs?
Equimax wormer for horses
Other wormers and external parasite treatments for farm animals
Some local anaesthetics
Who can prescribe an NFA-VPS medication?
A vet, pharmacist or SQP
No clinical exam required, and no diagnosis needed
What are some examples of NFA-VPS drugs?
Over the counter wormers, such as droncit
Who can supply AVM-GSL drugs?
Anyone, it has no restrictions and can be given over the counter with no special advice
What are some examples of AVM-GSL drugs?
Supplements such as YuMove
Flea treatments such as Bob Martin for cats and dogs
Can AVM-GSL products be on display to the public?
Yes. Only AVM-GSL drugs may be displayed to the public, all other categories of drug must be kept separately (e.g. in a dispensary)
How many schedules of controlled drugs are there?
5
What are controlled drugs in veterinary medicine?
Medicines that can only be prescribed by a vet, and supplied by the vet/pharmacist in accordance with the prescription.
What legislation is relevant to controlled drugs?
- The Misuse of Drugs Regulations (2001)
- The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971)
What is a schedule 1 drug?
These are drugs that are not used in practice, and only used in research settings as they are dangerous
What is a schedule 2 drug?
Drugs that must be locked away, ‘in safe custody’. Their usage and disposal must be recorded. These drugs have narrow safety margins and although they have therapeutic use, they have the potential to be abused
What is a schedule 3 drug?
Not classed as abusable, but have narrow safety margins. They are not required to be in safe custody, but usually are kept in a locked cupboard anyway
What is a schedule 4 drug?
Do not need to be locked away, but sometimes are for ease.
What is a schedule 5 drug?
Drugs that do not need to be locked away - they are much weaker preparations of schedule 2 drugs
Give some examples of schedule 1 drugs
Ecstasy, MDMA, LSD
Give some examples of schedule 2 drugs
Mainly opioids, due to their addictiveness.
Examples include methadone, ketamine, and fentanyl
What are the specifications for a DD cabinet?
- it must exist as part of the fabric of the building (mounted to an external wall)
- it should not advertise itself as a DD cupboard
- should have one person responsible for locking and securing it
How long is a prescription for a schedule 2-4 drug valid for?
Up to 28 days
Give some examples of schedule 3 drugs
Gabapentin, midazolam, phenobarbitone, and buprenorphine
Give some examples of schedule 4 drugs
Anabolic steroids, and diazepam
How long can a prescription for a schedule 5 drug be valid for?
Up to 6 months
What is specific about the disposal of schedule 2 drugs?
The drugs must be denatured (neutralised) before disposal, usually using a denaturing kit. The disposal itself must be witnessed by an appropriate person
Who can witness the disposal of schedule 2 drugs?
A vet who is not affiliated with the practice
A VMD inspector
A controlled drugs officer from the police
What is a written requisition?
A written request for the drug that is signed by the prescribing vet and sent to the wholesaler.
Give some examples of schedule 5 drugs
Pardale (contains codeine) or codeine itself
What are the prescription requirements for CD?
Prescription must contain:
- the quantity of the drug (in words and numbers)
- the strength of the drug (in words and numbers)
- instructions for dosing
- the original prescription must be presented prior to prescribing
These are requirements for CD, and desirable for POM-V
What is the Veterinary Medicines Directorate?
An executive agency, within DEFRA. It aims to promote and protect animal health and welfare, and it also assures the quality, safety and efficacy of veterinary medicines
What does the VMD do?
- controls all national marketing authorisations for veterinary medicines
- controls the manufacture and distribution of veterinary medicines
- monitors adverse reactions to veterinary medicines
- enforces UK legislation for veterinary medicines
- monitors residues in animals and animal products
Define PRESCRIPTION
An instruction written by a medicinal practitioner that authorises a patient to be issued with a medicine or treatment
What are the legal requirements for a prescription?
- name and address of those prescribing, including credentials (MRCVS, SQP etc)
- name and address of the owner/keeper
- identification of the animal (s) that the prescription is for
- date of prescription
- signature of person prescribing
- name and amount of product prescribed
- dosage and administration instructions
- any necessary warnings
- any applicable withdrawal period
- must be written in indelible ink
What is the method of disposal for whole pharmaceuticals?
A blue DOOP (disposal of old pharmaceuticals) bin
Solids and liquids should be separated, and all medicines should remain in their original packaging. All contents should be recorded.
What is the method of disposal for controlled drugs?
Denatured, then put in normal DOOP bin.
Schedule 2 should be with supervision
What is the method of disposal for cytotoxic drugs?
In their own purple topped disposal bin. Must be kept separate from other waste/drugs and they are hazardous.
What is the method of disposal for needles contaminated with drugs?
Yellow sharps bin. They are hazardous