RCVS Guidelines - 1/9/23 

On September 1^st 2023 new guidance was issued by the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) for vets prescribing certain medications.

The new guidance requires that a physical examination of your pet must be performed every time any antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and anti-parasiticides are prescribed. This includes topical preparations such as ear and eye drop containing antibiotics, and all prescription flea/worm/tick products. We understand that the guidance is part of the strategy to improve responsible use of these medications and to reduce the risk of resistance to these medications.

What this means in practice is that, we can no longer prescribe these medications (antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals) for your pet without an in-person consultation every time. For the pets that are having regular anti-parasiticide (flea, tick and worm) treatment, if we have seen your pet and there is a plan in place on your pet’s clinical history - we can continue to prescribe the same medication for a duration of 12 months, you will then require a check up. However, if we need to change the flea or worm product that your pet is being prescribed, we will need to see your pet in order to re-assess your pets needs.

For now, it is our plan to assess anti-parasiticide needs for all pets we see, whether it is for their annual booster and health check, or for a veterinary consultation. We are hoping this will allow us to cover the needs for the majority of our clients before the guidelines come into force on 12^th January 2024.

From January 12^th 2024 we will be offering free of charge 5 minute appointments to allow us to specifically assess the anti-parasitic needs of your pets. These consults cannot be an opportunity to discuss other health needs, but to allow us to continue to prescribe flea and worm treatment for our clients who have not yet been seen before the deadline.

The new guidance on prescribing prescription-only medicines can be found on: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/under-care-new-guidance/

If you have any questions or concerns about the new guidance, RCVS can be contacted on:
020 7202 0789 or advice@rcvs.org.uk

We want to say a huge thank you to all our clients for your understanding and patience during these changes.