Repeat Prescriptions

On this page you can request more medication that your pet has already been prescribed on a long term basis (i.e. for chronic conditions).

When prescribing prescription-only medications we are bound by both the law and guidance laid out by our regulatory bodies, the VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) and the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons).

This includes requirements on how frequently patients are assessed in order for a medication to be dispensed.

For stable patients requiring long term prescription medication we require that a pet has been examined in person (by a vet at our clinic) within the lat 6 months. For less stable patients or those with more serious conditions we generally require that a pet be seen at a minimum of every 3 months.

From the 1st September 2023 the RCVS has introduced new guidance on the dispensing of prescription-only medications. Please note that this new guidance requires that a physical examination must be performed every time any antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and anti-parasiticides are prescribed. This includes topical preparations such as ear and eye drops and all prescription flea/worm/tick products.

The full guidance can be found on:

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/under-care-new-guidance/

For a summary of what this means in practical terms please scroll to the bottom of this page.

Ordering and picking up your medication

- Repeat prescriptions are processed around 12:30pm. We will review the request, decide if the medication can be prescribed and check if we have stock to dispense it.

We keep a small amount of stock on site, which means that some medications will be ready to pick up the next working day (or the same day if your request comes through before 11am), however please don't bank on this and allow 48hours for us to order in and dispense your medications.

Please note for some special order medication it may take up to 5 working days before it is ready to pick up.

-We will endeavour to send an email when your medication has been put up. If you have not received a message from us within 48hrs please call us to see what the status is on your prescription.

- Please wait for confirmation that your medication is ready to pick up before making your way to the clinic.

- Please try and avoid situations where you have completely run out of medication and need more as a matter of urgency. We do understand these things happen from time to time (we are all human). If this is the case then please fill out the following form but give us a call to let us know it is urgent. We will do our best to sort things out for you however please understand that an emergency dispensing fee may apply (as vets will often need to be pulled away from other tasks in order to organise a last minute prescription).

Prescribing Guidelines

What does it all mean in practical terms

From the 1st September the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS, regulatory body for the veterinary profession in the UK) is introducing new guidance on prescribing prescription-only medicines.

The new guidance requires that a physical examination of the pet has to be performed every time any antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and antiparasiticides are prescribed. This includes oral medication as well as topical preparations such as ear and eye drops and all prescription flea/worm/tick products.

The guidance is an important step towards ensuring responsible antimicrobial use and reducing the veterinary impact on wider issues of global antibiotic resistance and decline of insect populations.

What this means in practice is that your pet will need to come in for an in-person consultation every time

-we need to prescribe medication for an ear infection (as most contain antibiotics)

-we need to prescribe antibiotics for a skin problem, even if it is a chronic problem

-we/you decide to change from one flea/worm/tick product to another

-we suspect a urinary tract infection (a phone consultation and a dropped off urine sample, sent for analysis/culture is no longer sufficient)

- we suspect gastrointestinal infection (again, a phone consultation and a dropped off faecal sample are no longer sufficient).

We also can no longer prescribe prescription deworming products on the basis of a laboratory report alone, we will need to see the pet for a consultation and physical exam first.

For long term prescription medication that is not an antimicrobial/ antiparisitic, our usual policy of requiring an examination every 6 months (or more frequently in some less stable or more serious cases) continues to apply.

Our usual consultation fees apply for these examinations.

If you have any questions or concerns about the new guidance, RCVS can be contacted on:

020 7202 0789 or advice@rcvs.org.uk