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Pet medicine prescriptions: how online fulfilment can work in the UK
Owners are often told they can buy a prescribed medicine elsewhere, then find the process opaque. The underlying framework is actually quite clear, and it separates two distinct roles: prescribing and supplying.
9 min read · updated
Prescribing and supplying are different jobs
A veterinary surgeon who has the animal under their care decides whether a medicine is appropriate and issues the prescription. A separate, appropriately registered retailer may then supply that medicine against the prescription.
Owners are entitled to ask their vet for a written prescription so it can be dispensed elsewhere; practices may charge a fee for writing it.
The UK legal classes in brief
Classification determines who may supply a product and under what conditions.
- POM-V: prescription-only, prescribed by a veterinary surgeon.
- POM-VPS: prescription by a vet, pharmacist or suitably qualified person (SQP).
- NFA-VPS: no written prescription, but supply must be by a vet, pharmacist or SQP.
- AVM-GSL: general sale.
What the rules require of online retailers
UK retailers selling POM-V, POM-VPS or NFA-VPS products over the internet must be registered with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). Medicines must be UK-authorised and supplied from appropriately registered or authorised premises, with professional involvement in prescription, supply and advice.
Government guidance is published at gov.uk, and the VMD maintains a public list of accredited internet retailers that owners can check before ordering.
A sensible checklist for owners
Before ordering a prescribed medicine online, it is reasonable to verify the basics.
- Is the retailer listed on the VMD's register of accredited online retailers?
- Does the site explain how prescriptions are validated?
- Is a named professional accountable for supply and advice?
- Are the medicines UK-authorised products?