The Medicines (Veterinary Drugs) (Prescription Only) Order 1991

Prescriptions

8.—(1) For the purposes of section 58(2)(a) a prescription only medicine shall not be taken to be sold or supplied in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner unless the conditions specified in paragraph (2) are fulfilled.

(2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1) are that the prescription—

(a) shall be signed in ink with his own name by the veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner giving it;

(b) shall, without prejudice to sub-paragraph (a), be written in ink or otherwise so as to be indelible;

(c) shall contain the following particulars—

(i) the address of the veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner giving it,

(ii) the appropriate date,

(iii) such particulars as indicate whether it is given by a veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner, and

(iv) the name and address of the person to whom the prescription only medicine is to be delivered and a declaration by the veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner giving it that the prescription only medicine is prescribed for an animal or herd under his care;

(d) shall not be dispensed after the end of the period of six months from the appropriate date, unless it is a repeatable prescription in which case it shall not be dispensed for the first time after the end of that period nor otherwise than in accordance with the direction contained in the repeatable prescription;

(e) in the case of a repeatable prescription that does not specify the number of times it may be dispensed, shall not be dispensed on more than two occasions.

(3) The restrictions imposed by section 58(2)(a) (restrictions on sale and supply) shall not apply to a sale or supply of a prescription only medicine which is not in accordence with a prescription given by an appropriate practicitioner by reason only that a condition specified in paragraph (2) is not fulfilled, where the person selling or supplying the prescription only medicine, having exercised all due diligence, believes on reasonable grounds that the condition is fulfilled in relation to that sale or supply.

(4) In paragraph (2) “the appropriate date” means the date on which the prescription was signed by the veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner giving it.