Dispensing medicines

RE: Dispensing medicines

PSA-David — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 11:48:18 GMT

If a medicine is supplied in the container provided by the manufacturer, all information on the label/packaging must remain readable. Changes may only be made by a veterinary surgeon or by a pharmacist acting on instructions contained in a prescription written by a veterinary surgeon, and even then all of the original information must still be readable.

If the medicine is intended for a condition and species listed on the datasheet there is no legal requirement for any additional label. However, it is the recommendation of the RCVS Professional Conduct Department that all supplied medicines should be labelled with the information listed below.

If a VMP is supplied in a container other than that specified in the marketing authorization (details can be found in the datasheet), then the person supplying the VMP must ensure that there is sufficient information for the medicine to be used safely. Under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) 2013, this legal requirement may be met by writing the information on a label or by providing a copy of the package insert. However, it is the recommendation of the RCVS Professional Conduct Department that all supplied medicines should be labelled with the information listed below.

Only when using a medicine prescribed under the cascade is it legally necessary to attach a label, which must contain the following details:

The name and address of the pharmacy, veterinary surgery or approved premises supplying the VMP
The name of the veterinary surgeon who has prescribed the medicine
The name and address of the animal’s owner
The identification (including the species) of the animal or group of animals
The date of supply
The expiry date of the medicine (if applicable)
The name or description of the medicine, which should include at least the name and quantity of the active ingredient(s)
The dosage and administration instructions
Any special storage precautions
Any necessary warnings with reference to the user, target species, administration or disposal of the product
The words ‘Keep out of reach of children’ and ‘For animal treatment only’. The words ‘For external use only’ for topical preparations.

RE: Dispensing medicines

Sal the 1st — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:28:28 GMT

http://www.bsava.com/Portals/4/knowledgevault/publications/files/medicines_guide_may_2013_V3.pdf

page 26 - 2nd paragraph.

'If the medicine is intended for a condition and species listed on the datasheet there is no
legal requirement for any additional label. However, it is the recommendation of the RCVS
Professional Conduct Department that all supplied medicines should be labelled with the
information listed below.'

RE: Dispensing medicines

Sal the 1st — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:16:36 GMT

have just had a look on my latest prescription from doc - eye drops were labelled on outer carton and not inner . Its not just a question of cost its a question of whether this is an actual requirement or something that somebody thinks should be happening

RE: Dispensing medicines

emmaj_davy — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 09:35:44 GMT

Most pharmacists stick the label on the outer cartons, I've worked in many practices and have never heard of this being done, and I agree with your boss that it is costly.

RE: Dispensing medicines

Caro Laithwaite VN — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 02:23:56 GMT

It would help if many of them actually read any label

RE: Dispensing medicines

Sal the 1st — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 19:29:02 GMT

you could try asking your local pharmacist? they would be sure to know . Dont forget some of those boxes are going to have tamper proof seals on them

RE: Dispensing medicines

kkatkatk — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 17:45:51 GMT

It cant be our responsibility to stick labels on everything incase the owner throws something away! I have just finished my VN course and we werent taught this. We dont do this in my practice and i work for a strict corporate who do things by the book. It is the law to provide a label when dispensing meds. this should be stuck somewhere sensible ideally not obscuring any text on the product itself. You dont need to put 2 labels but i can see where she is coming from - its a thoughtful idea but not very practical cost wise as you point out.

RE: Dispensing medicines

Clare Ball — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 15:45:18 GMT

We have just been taught this in college and there was no mention of using two labels. I will check with my tutor tomorrow though just in case.