RCVS Changes to Prescribing Medication
From 1st September 2023, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) introduced new guidance on prescribing prescription-only medicines (POM-Vs). The full guidance can be found on: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/under-care-new-guidance/ . There has now been an extension to the 12th January 2024 to allow practices to get ready and inform clients of these changes.
We as a practice already comply with most of the rules when it comes to prescribing POM-V medications. However there is a subtle change to the way we prescribe anti parasitic medication given in the new guide lines which we will outline.
Already we must always perform a physical examination before prescribing anything in the following circumstances:
Where a notifiable disease is suspected for example TB
When prescribing controlled drugs for example Phenobarbitone/ Tramadol.
When prescribing antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics or antivirals. This includes eye, ear and skin products.
We can no longer prescribe anti-parasite treatments (flea and wormer products) based on an historical clinical exam. We should be discussing and prescribing these medications at the time of examination. This would typically be done during the annual health check and booster or when seeing your pet for another health issue.
What does this mean for you and your pets?
Your pet will be required to come in for a physical examination by the veterinary surgeon every time for the following:
1) Anti-parasitic treatment (Flea and wormer).
These must be prescribed at the time of the physical examination in all but exceptional circumstances. This does not mean you have to physically take the medication on that day rather the vet must update the prescription on your pets file with the details of the products, name, strength and dosing frequency. This examination in most instances would then allow us to prescribe these medications for 12 months without the need for further checks in this time. If we need to change the flea or wormer product in most circumstances we would need to re-examine before we can do this.
2) Antibiotics
We already would require a physical examination before prescribing these medications in all but exceptional circumstances.
This includes any ear, eye or skin infections requiring treatment.
If we suspect a urinary tract infection (urine analysis and phone call from vet is not sufficient).
If we suspect a gastrointestinal infection (faecal analysis and phone call from vet is not sufficient).
For long term medication that is not an antimicrobial, anti-parasitic or a controlled drug our usual policy of regular medication checks applies. This is standardly every 3-6 months and in occasional cases every 12 months, the vet prescribing will decide this on a case by case basis.
Consultation fees:
Standard initial consult £50.00
Standard follow up consult for same condition £40.00
Repeat medication check for long term meds £37.50
Flea and worm check only £20.00 per animal
From 12th January 2024:
This is when the antiparasitic treatment guidance is being enforced, therefore we may not be able to automatically dispense the medication you usually collect without a physical exam.
We are requesting that all flea and wormers are ordered over the phone or through our email (info@foxhallvets.com) to allow for our veterinary surgeons to review and dispense the product, as well as to allow for ordering in products when necessary.
