IMPORTANT INFORMATION
9th January 2024
Notice period for repeat medications, including flea & worming
On September the 1st 2023, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (the Regulatory body for the Vet Profession in the UK) is introduced new guidance on under care and the prescribing and dispensing of prescription medicines. The implementation of the specific part of the new 'under care' guidance concerning the prescription of anti-parasitic POM-Vs will also come into place on 12 January 2024 A full guidance update can be found at:
The new guidance requires that a physical examination of the pet has to be performed every time we prescribe antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, anti-parasitic medications and controlled drugs. This includes topical preparations such as ear and eye drops, skin creams, and all prescription flea, tick and worm products as well as some painkillers, sedatives and anti-seizure medication
The guidance is an important step towards ensuring responsible antimicrobial use and reducing the veterinary impact on the wider issues of global antibiotic resistance, decline of insect populations and to protect against abuse of drugs that are controlled in the UK.
In practical terms, this means your pet will need to come in for a vet consultation every time we prescribe and dispense some medications that didn't previously need an examination. We are able to write a prescription for ongoing use within the clinic that our dispensing nurses and receptionists can use for a twelve-month period for flea, tick and worm products.
Common examples include,
- medication for an ear infection (as most contain antibiotics)
- antibiotics for any skin problem, even if it’s a chronic problem
- we/you decide to change from one flea and tick or worm product to another
- we suspect a urinary tract infection (remote/online consultation and urine analysis/culture are no longer sufficient)
- we suspect a gastrointestinal infection (remote/online consultation and faecal analysis/culture are no longer sufficient)
- the use of controlled drugs and changing their dose to manage pain and seizures
For long term prescription medication that is not an antimicrobial or antiparasitic, our usual policy of requiring an examination every 6 months (or every 3 months in some less stable or more serious cases) continues to apply.
The consultations will be charged at our normal fee. If your pet has not been seen for greater than 12 months and only needs flea, tick and worm medication this examination will still be free as it always has been at Hillside.
Thanks for your understanding whilst we adjust to these changes over the coming months.
The Hillside Team
