Guidelines for Prescribing, Authorising and Dispensing - Australian ...

If a client wishes to purchase drugs on the internet, a veterinarian may choose (or
not) to write a prescription. The prescription should refer to a particular animal(s)
and satisfy the PAD checklist criteria. However, the client and veterinarian may
have to consider several important issues, including:
� While there is some ‘mutual recognition’ for prescriptions across state borders,
an Australian prescription might not be valid overseas.
� The drug requested on the internet may not be available under the same brand
or composition as registered for use in Australia.
� A person must not import an unregistered veterinary chemical product into
Australia, without written permission of the APVMA.
� Australian Customs’ import restrictions often require permits and payment of
duties when goods arrive.
� Health officials may intercept the consignment, to determine the type of
medication and its possible uses.
� An overseas product may not have passed the stringent assessment and
registration procedures required by the APVMA.
While a registered veterinarian has the authority to obtain and supply restricted
substances, the Commonwealth Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals
(Administration) Act 1992 and the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 require that permits
be obtained to import most chemical products, animal or human. Again, the above
points are relevant.
It is unacceptable for a veterinarian to write a prescription (to be filled on the
internet) for food producing animals, unless it can be guaranteed that the product is
to be supplied from within Australia. Otherwise, it may not be possible to provide
appropriate advice regarding withholding periods etc, if the exact product
specifications are not known.
The use of the internet for advertising or wholesaling drugs is a strictly regulated
area, and veterinarians are advised to exercise caution. Advertising about
veterinary medicines may contravene the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals
Code Act 1994. Advertising of PARs to anyone other than veterinarians is
prohibited in all jurisdictions – see section 22.8. In all jurisdictions a licence is
required for wholesaling, and this would be a separate business unrelated to a
veterinary practice - see section 16.
22 Schedule 4 drugs
Schedule 4 drugs bear the manufacturer's label stating "PRESCRIPTION ANIMAL
REMEDY" or “PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICINE” (if human drugs). Examples
are: local and general anaesthetics, antibiotics, antihypertensive agents,
benzodiazepines, corticosteroids, diuretics, some analgesics, muscle relaxants,
neuroleptics and most, but not all, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
22.1 Ordering and purchasing
Schedule 4 drugs may only be ordered by and supplied to a registered veterinarian
in his or her own name. Payment can be made by an employer but the
veterinarian must be personally responsible and accountable for the storage and
use of the drugs.
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AVA Prescribing and dispensing guidelines
Version 1.0 February 2005
Updated 02/09/08