The Veterinary Medicines (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2024

Amendment to paragraph 6

101.  In paragraph 6 (written prescriptions) for sub-paragraph (1) substitute—

“(1) A written prescription must include—

(a) the full name, address and contact details of the person prescribing the product, including that person’s professional registration number (if available);

(b) the full name, address and contact details of the animal owner or keeper;

(c) the identification (including the species) of the animal or group of animals to be treated;

(d) the premises at which the animals are kept if this is different from the address of the owner or keeper;

(e) the issue date;

(f) the signature or electronic signature of the prescriber;

(g) the name and amount of the product prescribed;

(h) the pharmaceutical form and strength of the product;

(i) as regards veterinary medicinal products that are antibiotics which are prescribed for prophylactic purposes or metaphylactic purposes (as the case may be), a statement to that effect;

(j) the dosage regimen;

(k) any warnings necessary to ensure the proper use, including, where relevant, to ensure prudent use of antimicrobials;

(l) the words “It is an offence under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 for a person to alter a written prescription unless authorised to do so by the person who signed it”;

(m) for food-producing animal species, the withdrawal period or a statement that the withdrawal period is equal to zero days; and

(n) if the prescription relates to a product prescribed under the cascade, a statement to that effect.

(1A) Subject to the professional obligations of a veterinary surgeon to ensure the health and welfare of animals under their care, a veterinary surgeon may only prescribe a veterinary medicinal product that is an antibiotic where satisfied that the circumstances set out in sub-paragraph (1B) apply.

(1B) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1A) the circumstances are that the product is not—

(a) used routinely;

(b) used to compensate for poor hygiene, inadequate animal husbandry, or poor farm management practices; or

(c) used to promote growth or increase yield.”.