Writing a Prescription

Question 1

Dx =
Px =
Tx =
AE =
AR =

Answer 1

Diagnosis
Prescription
Treatment
Adverse Event
Adverse Reaction

Question 2

SAR =
SQP =
RQP =
VMD =
NOAH =
COPC =
CD =

Answer 2

Suspected Adverse Reaction
Suitably Qualified Person
Registered Qualified Person
Veterinary Medicines Directorate
National Office of Animal Health
Code Of Professional Conduct (RCVS)
Control Drugs

Question 3

POM-V =
POM-VPS =
NFA-VPS =
AVM-GSL =

Answer 3

Prescription Only Medicine
○ Veterinarian
Prescription Only Medicine
○ Veterinarian / Pharmacist / SQP
Non-food animals
○ Veterinarian / Pharmacist / SQP
Authorised Veterinary Medicine
○ General Sale List

Question 4

What regulations do prescriptions have to follow?

Answer 4

Veterinary surgeons act
Veterinary Medicines Regulation
Misuse of Drugs Act
RCVS COPC

Question 5

What is a prescription? (EU LAW)

Answer 5

Any prescription for a veterinary medicinal product issued by a professional person qualified to do so in accordance with applicable national law
Veterinary meaning - for animals

Prescribing is an action

Question 6

What are the two classes of medicine which vets can prescribe?

Answer 6

POM-V (Prescription Only Medicine - by Veterinary Surgeon)
POM-VPS (Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian / Pharmacist / Suitably Qualified Person)

Question 7

POM-VPS

Answer 7

Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian / Pharmacist / Suitably Qualified Person

One of the most common ways veterinary medicines are purchased/prescribed

Clinical assessment does not have to be carried out
Animal does not have to be under RQPs care
RQP must have sufficient information about the animal and the

Question 8

POM-VPS Example

Answer 8

Flea and worming treatment in pets at home

Question 9

POM-V

Answer 9

Must physically examine animal before prescribing
Must be responsible for health of animal
Must maintain records of the herd/individual
Must be supplied from registered premises

Question 10

NFA-VPS

Answer 10

Non-food Animals, veterinary surgeon, pharmacist or SQP
For companion animals excluding horses
Doesn’t require clinical assessment

Question 11

What are the steps to writing a prescription?

Answer 11

1 - Print/write legibly - indelible
○ Sign in ink with your normal signature
○ Include the date
2 - Use generic product name for drugs in capital letters
○ Ensure the full name is also stated
○ Include the pharmaceutical form and strength
3 - State duration and total quantity supplied
4 - write in micro/nanograms
5 - put 0 before decimal point (0.3) but not (3.0)
6 - Give precise instructions concerning route, dose and formulation
7 - If need altering - rewrite
8 - Declare that ‘animal is under my care’
9 - State whether drug follows cascade

Question 12

How many times can prescriptions be repeated?

Answer 12

No more than three times before re-checking patient
Never if a controlled drug

Question 13

POM-V

Answer 13

Must physically examine animal before prescribing
Must be responsible for health of animal

Question 14

Health and safety of prescribing

Answer 14

Always follow the cascade
Follow COPC
Must always:
○ Be satisfied that the person who will use the product is competent to use it safely
○ Advise on the safe administration of product
○ Advise any warnings or contra-indications on the label or package leaflet
○ Not prescribe more than the minimum quantity required for the treatment
○ Supply drug in appropriate containers and with appropriate labelling

Question 15

How do you report misuse?

Answer 15

Follow RCVS COPC
Report to VMD
○ May be a GDPR and confidentiality issue but generally RCVS will support you
Justified breach
If in doubt call RCVS first
Report if suspected

Question 16

What is an adverse event?

Answer 16

Any observation in animals, whether or not considered to be product-related, that is unfavourable and unintended

Question 17

Types of adverse events

Answer 17

Lack of expected efficacy
Unexpected adverse event
Serious adverse event
Non-serious adverse event

Question 18

Lack of expected efficacy

Answer 18

Intended beneficial effects have not be observed
Suspected Lack of Expected Efficacy (SLEE)

Question 19

Unexpected AE

Answer 19

Nature, severity or outcome of an observed AE is not described in the SPC

Question 20

Serious AE

Answer 20

AE results in death, or increased rates of death in a species for which there is an expected death rate
Life-threatening clinical signs
Significant disability or incapacity
Congenital anomalies or birth defects
Permanent or prolonged signs

Question 21

Non–serious AE

Answer 21

All other adverse reactions of lack of efficacy following treatment with a veterinary medicine

Question 22

What is an adverse reaction?

Answer 22

A reaction to a veterinary medicine which is harmful and unintended
Occurs at doses normally used in animals for the prophylaxis, diagnosis or treatment of disease or to restore, correct or modify a physiological function