New controls on online medicine sales welcomed

We have welcomed the announcement by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) that new controls are to be introduced in relation to the online retailing of veterinary medicines.

“It is important for human and animal health, and the environment that veterinary medicines are sold responsibly, whether they are supplied from registered premises or online,” said RCVS President, Peter Jinman.

“Sales are regulated so that the right medicines are used, and that powerful drugs do not find their way into the wrong hands. The RCVS encourages animal owners to purchase veterinary medicines only from reputable suppliers, and welcomes better controls for online selling.”

Under the 2009 Veterinary Medicines Regulations, certain medicines, classified Prescription-Only Medicine - Veterinary Surgeon (POM-V), require a veterinary surgeon’s prescription.

POM-V medicines may only be prescribed for animals under the care of a veterinary surgeon, which means that in the majority of cases the veterinary surgeon will need to see the animal before he or she can write any first, or potentially repeat, prescription.

Veterinary surgeons are permitted to supply veterinary medicines only from premises included in the RCVS Register of Veterinary Practice Premises.

View more information about the new VMD scheme