At REVS, we take pride in providing you and your animals with high quality and professional veterinary services. However, with the veterinary industry coming under increasing scrutiny on the supply of prescription medications (e.g. antibiotics and anti-inflammatories), we would like to inform you of some legal requirements relating to the supply of prescription medications (Veterinary Practices Act 2003 & Controlled Substances Act 1984).
Our veterinarians are legally required to meet the following criteria in order to sell, supply, prescribe or administer medication to any animal. This includes:
- You (the client) must be a bona fide (genuine) client of our clinic.
- Our vet should have current knowledge of the management, health status and drug status of the animal(s).
- There must be a therapeutic or prophylactic (preventative) need for the use and/supply of the drug.
- Our vet has followed the requirements of the drugs and poisons and control-of-use legislation in our state/territory.
- Our vet is confident that you (the client) understand the instructions regarding the use and storage (and where appropriate, identification of treated animals and relevant withholding restrictions) of this drug and is able to use it properly and safely.
- The amount prescribed/dispensed is reasonable for treatment of the condition for which they have documented the therapeutic need.
- If the drug is an antibiotic, they have considered the expected infectious agent, spectrum of activity of the drug and implications of antimicrobial resistance.
For our vets to reliably meet to above criteria, it is critical that your animal is examined so that an accurate diagnosis can be achieved and the most appropriate treatment plan or medication can be prescribed.
We realise these legislative requirements are not necessarily convenient, and indeed in cases can seem "ridiculous", however please understand that it is considered best practice and we have a legal obligation to uphold these regulations.
If you have any questions or concerns, we are more than happy to discuss them with you. Feel free to phone the clinic on 0422154301, or send us an email at [email protected]