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

23.2 Prescribing and dispensing
Dispensing or prescription of Schedule 8 drugs should be done only in conjunction
with a fully-documented clinical examination on each occasion.
The amount of Schedule 8 drugs dispensed or prescribed should be sufficient only
for the immediate clinical requirement. If a circumstance arises where the
veterinarian considers it is possible that the animal may require further supply for
the condition, eg. colic in a horse, strong consideration should be given to
arranging to re-visit the animal or have the animal brought to a facility for
monitoring and medication.
It should be noted that the poisons classification of ketamine has recently been
reviewed and is being changed to Schedule 8 in all jurisdictions during 2005.
There is no legitimate therapeutic reason for dispensing ketamine in any quantity to
any person.
23.3 Records
A separate record book, Dangerous Drugs Book or Drugs of Addiction Register,
must be kept which records all transactions and uses and shows the accurate
balance. The name of the veterinarian carrying out each transaction must be
clearly recorded. The record must be in a form that cannot be altered, obliterated,
deleted or removed without detection. The person carrying out each transaction
must be an authorised person under the drugs and poisons legislation and sign the
entry with their usual signature.
In addition detailed clinical records should be kept, as described for Schedule 4
drugs above.
24 Other restricted drugs
There are differences between jurisdictions in regard to other controls imposed for
specific hazardous drugs and poisons. In most jurisdictions, injectable anabolic
steroids are specifically restricted from supply to clients. In Victoria ketamine and
anabolic/androgenic steroids are presently classified in a special Schedule 11. The
effect of these is to provide for a greater range of law enforcement tools to be used
in investigating their misuse, and to provide penalties appropriate to trafficking
offences. Severe penalties apply to the misuse or unlawful supply of anabolic
steroids and Schedule 11 substances.
Storage, use, dispensing and recording of other scheduled drugs
Generally these drugs may be stored in normal Schedule 4 storage facilities, but
they may also be stored in a facility formerly reserved solely for the storage of
Schedule 8 drugs.
In most jurisdictions there is no compulsory specific recording of such drug use or
supply except for Schedule 4 ‘D’ drugs such as anabolic steroids or the
amphetamines. The use, dispensing and recording of these drugs should be
recorded in the normal clinical records in the same manner as for other Schedule 4
drugs.
AVA Prescribing and dispensing guidelines
Version 1.0 February 2005
Updated 02/09/08
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