Does the petpharmacist dispense prescription medications without a veterinarian's authorization?
No! Any item with a RX designation is a prescription medication. We can only dispense prescription medications on the instructions of a licensed veterinarian.
If you are ordering a prescription medication for the first time we will be happy to contact your veterinarian for a prescription. If you already have a written prescription you can send it to us by email, fax or regular mail.
Does my veterinarian have to provide me with a prescription?
Section 26 of the regulations to the Ontario Veterinarians Act states:
26. If a member decides to treat an animal with a drug and either does not dispense it or is asked by the owner for a prescription, the member shall give a written prescription to the owner or offer to give an oral prescription acceptable to the owner to a pharmacist or to another veterinarian in accordance with subsection 33 (1.1).
The College of Veterinarians has determined:
Where a client requests a prescription, rather than purchase a drug directly from the veterinarian, the veterinarian is obligated to comply with this request. However, the College believes that this regulation limits veterinarians to prescribing to a pharmacist in Ontario, and it is not appropriate to authorize a prescription from an Internet pharmacy.
The veterinarians responsibility is to offer to give an oral prescription to a pharmacist within the jurisdiction the veterinarian is located or, if this is not acceptable to the client, to give the client a written prescription. It is permissible for the veterinarian to charge a reasonable fee for this prescription.
The client is then free to choose how they fill the prescription. If the client chooses to attempt to have it filled by an out-of-province pharmacist, that is neither the veterinarians responsibility, nor the veterinarians concern. The veterinarian has simply fulfilled his or her obligation under the legislation.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by MikePal
