Buying Prescription Items
Looking to order pet prescription medication with us? We have created a short video to tell you more about prescriptions, how to upload them, and what happens after they've been uploaded.
Save up to 76% on prescription medication in 3 steps
A poorly pet can be expensive which is why we offer pet medicines at half the price the vets charge, all available online for delivery to your door. Delivering savings when all you want to worry about is your pet, not the pennies.
If you see the little red page icon and text "Vet Prescription Required" next to an item you’d like to order, it means the item can only be sold with a prescription. While you can add these items to your shopping cart and pay for them along with other non-prescription products, we cannot dispatch them until we’ve received a prescription.
Veterinary prescriptions must be written in accordance with UK regulations and signed and dated by a veterinary surgeon who is registered in the UK. And please note, we can only send prescription medication to the same country that the prescription was issued in.
Each prescription is a legal document containing the written instructions from your vet that outlines which medication is needed, the amount to be supplied, the dosage, whether it is eligible for repeats or not, details about the animal, the veterinary surgeon who has prescribed it and confirmation that the animal is under their care.
How This Works
Visit your vets for a consult and get them to write a prescription. Your Vet is legally obliged to issue you with a prescription should they determine POM-V products are necessary, but they are allowed to make a reasonable charge for doing so. This is a nominal fee and should not be excessive or to prevent you from purchasing a product. From our experience, most Vets charge around £25 - £27 but it can be more or less than this.
Got A Prescription?
Place your order and upload your prescription as you checkout.
1. Photograph & Upload - The quickest and easiest way is to photograph your prescription using your phone and upload it with your order (this is part of the checkout process.) – this method gets priority during the order fulfillment process.
2. Post - This method takes longer as we wait on the post to arrive and it is also a manual process. This process is only required for specific medication. Please write your order number on your prescription before posting(Post-Its or paperclips can easily get separated)
Pet Drugs Online
Unit 7B, Burnett Business Park
Gypsy Lane
Keynsham
Bristol
BS31 2ED
When submitting your prescription to us by post, you MUST write your order number on the top of the prescription. Otherwise your order will take longer to process..
We check your prescription and pop it in the post!
We verify the authenticity of all prescriptions received. If we receive a prescription that is invalid, forged or altered, we’ll have no option but to de-activate the sender’s account. It is a criminal offence to alter a prescription and as animal lovers we adopt a zero tolerance approach. We will report any offences to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and charge a reporting fee of £50. This is to ensure all of our medication falls into the right paws, rather than the wrong hands.
What Happens If My Pet Requires Long Term Treatment?
Some pets are on lifetime medication, so vets can write on-going or 'repeat prescriptions' and this means they can be used a number of times. This repeat number is written on the prescription so you do not need to keep going back to the surgery to get and pay for additional prescriptions – saving you time and money. There are two limits on repeat prescriptions, the total amount of medicine prescribed and time. You can only buy the maximum amount of medicine shown on the prescription and it is valid for six 6 months from the day it was written. When either of these limits is reached the prescription is deemed to be exhausted.
The vernacular repeat prescriptions are written in is a little confusing, as it is the original prescription PLUS the stated number of repeats. So for example if your dog requires 1 tube of ointment per month, a repeat prescription for six month’s treatment would state 5 repeats. This is the tube stated on the original prescription PLUS the five times it can be repeated, giving a total of six tubes.
So if your pet is on long term or lifetime medication be sure to ask for a repeat prescription.
Prescription Allowance
Every prescription authorised is saved in the ‘Prescriptions’ tab on your Account page. Alongside each prescription are two numbers: the total amount prescribed and the amount purchased so far. If you had a repeat prescription it will be the entire prescribed amount. It will also show the expiry date of that prescription. This also means you don't have to buy all of your pet's meds in one huge order, you can dip and in and order what your pet needs in manageable, affordable, chunks.
Exceptions
For Controlled Medication (such as Epiphen) we require the original paper prescription, which means we can only accept posted prescriptions. For these drugs we cannot accept emailed, faxed or uploaded copies. If you are buying a Controlled Medication (the technical term is Scheduled) the “how are you going to send your prescription” options presented in the checkout will be limited to “by post”. Such prescriptions can only be used once and we cannot authorise repeat prescriptions.
Altered Prescriptions
You are advised that the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (“VMR”) were amended in 2009 to make it a criminal offence to tamper with a written prescription. Schedule 3 Part 5(3) of the VMR states that ‘no person may alter a written prescription unless authorised to do so by the person who signed it’. Pet Drugs Online has a zero tolerance policy for altered or forged prescription. We check all prescriptions received to verify their authenticity. Where we suspect the prescription has been illegally amended, altered or tampered with we will immediately notify you and contact the relevant veterinary practice. If our suspicions are confirmed by the relevant practice we shall immediately cancel the whole of the order in which the altered prescription is included, de-activate the relevant user account and report the misuse to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
If we suspect the authenticity of a prescription and that it has been created fraudulently using a veterinary surgeon’s identity, in addition to the above measures, we shall report the matter to the police who will deal with it as a matter of fraud.
In all cases where we suspect a prescription has been illegally altered or is a forged document we shall charge a Reporting Fee of £50 per prescription. By agreeing to these Terms and Conditions you agree that we may deduct the Reporting Fee from the payment received with the order and return the balance to you. If the payment received with your order is less than the Reporting Fee you agree to provide us with the balancing payment within 7 days of notification.
You are advised that Prescriptions are only valid for 6 months from date of issue. Prescriptions for Scheduled Drugs are also for single use only and cannot be written as repeat prescriptions.
Whilst we endeavour to ensure all Prescription Only items prices displayed on our website are accurate, occasionally there may be some fluctuation due to manufacturer’s price increase or specific order requirement. In such cases we will contact you to advise you of the revised price once we have your prescription.
Regulation
We are registered as a Veterinary Practice Premises with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Our premises reference number is 7159324.
You can verify our status by contacting the RCVS directly, their contact details are available on the RCVS website.
Our RQP (Responsible Qualified Person) is John Cadogan Campbell (BVM&S BSc MRCVS). Reference number: 0314480.
This can be verified by visiting the register list at RCVS.
Owner & Registered Business Address
The owner of the business is Independent Vetcare Limited:
Independent Vetcare Limited
The Chocolate Factory,
Keynsham,
Bristol,
BS31 2AU
Company No. 07746795
VAT No. 115 1416 58
Company Registered in England
Veterinary Medicines Directorate
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is the government agency responsible for issues concerning the use and manufacture of veterinary medicines in the UK.
The Summary of Product Characteristics (SPCs) for all the medicinal products sold on this site are available from the Veterinary Medicine’s Directorate Product Information Database.
Adverse Reactions
No effective medicine is risk free and all medicines have the potential to cause adverse effects. Some of the adverse effects are known about when a veterinary medicine is first licensed, but those which occur rarely or are specific for certain breeds or groups of animals only come to light later when the products are used more widely.
In the event of an adverse reaction to any medicinal product, it should be reported to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate using this form, you should also report it to your vet.
Guidance For Animals Owners
For guidance and advice for animal owners please visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website.
Complaints About Veterinary Medicine
If you have a complaint about a veterinary medicine that you do not feel that Pet Drugs Online has resolved satisfactorily, you can contact the VMD.
Are you looking to buy your pet prescription online? Did you know you could save up to 76% on the cost of your pet's medication by ordering from us? Below, you'll find all the necessary information on how to buy your pet prescription online from Pet Drugs Online.
Any of our products marked with a red icon is a prescription-only product. We can only dispatch these products once we have received a valid vet’s prescription. Prescription products may still be added to your basket and purchased but will not be dispatched until we have reviewed your prescription. This can take up to 2 days.
Veterinary prescriptions must be written per UK regulations and signed and dated by a veterinary surgeon registered in the UK. We can only send prescription medication to the country where the prescription was issued.
A prescription is a legal document containing written instructions from your vet outlining what medication is needed, the amount to be supplied, the dosage, whether it is eligible for repeats or not, details about the intended animal, the veterinary surgeon who has prescribed it, and confirmation that the animal is under their care.
How to Order Prescription Medications Online
1. Receive Your Prescription
Visit your vet for a consultation to receive a prescription. If prescription medication is required, your vet is legally obliged to write you a prescription on request. Your vet is allowed to charge a reasonable fee for writing a prescription which may vary depending on your vet.
2. Place Your Order & Send Us Your Prescription
Place your order for your pet’s medication. Please ensure you purchase the correct medication as stated on your prescription and only the amount stated. We can only dispatch what has been prescribed by your vet.
Before your order can be processed, our team needs to check your prescription to ensure the right medication is being dispensed and in the correct dosage and amount.
Send us your prescription in one of the following ways:
1. Upload a Photograph at Checkout
You will be prompted to upload a photograph of your prescription at the checkout. This is the quickest and easiest way to send your prescription, and these orders receive priority during the fulfilment process.
Make sure the picture of your prescription is clear, easy to read, and contains all the necessary pages and information.
Speed up order processing with these simple checks:
1) Upload all pages of your prescription (including final pages with ancillary information).
2) Don’t crop your prescription. We need to see all 4 edges and corners.
3) Make sure all the text is readable, including the details of your animal and the prescribing vet. We can’t accept blurred images.
If your image does not match these requirements, a member of our team will call to request a new image. This will delay your order because we must hold a document that meets legal requirements before dispatch.
2. Send Us Your Prescription by Post
This method is slower as we need to wait for the prescription to arrive via post and then check the prescription manually. This process is only required for specific medications. You must write your order number on your prescription (Post-Its or paperclips can easily get separated) and then post it to our business address:
Pet Drugs Online
Unit 7B, Burnett Business Park
Gypsy Lane
Keynsham
Bristol
BS31 2ED
3. Sit Back & Relax
Once your prescription has been received, our team will check it to verify authenticity and ensure you are receiving the right medications for your pet before we dispatch your order. You will receive a confirmation email once your order has been dispatched.
It is a criminal offence to alter a prescription, and we take a zero-tolerance approach to any forged or altered prescriptions. If we receive any prescriptions that are invalid, forged, or altered, we have no choice but to deactivate the user's account and report the offence to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and charge a reporting fee of £50.
Exceptions
For a small number of our prescription products (known as Scheduled or Controlled medications), we are required by law to obtain the original physical copy of your vet's prescription. You will be informed if this applies to your order either at checkout or over the phone. In this instance, you’ll need to send the original prescription written by your vet with your order number written on it (Post-Its or paperclips can easily get separated) to us at:
Pet Drugs Online
Unit 7B, Burnett Business Park
Gypsy Lane
Keynsham
Bristol
BS31 2ED
There are time limits on these prescriptions, so make sure you send it as soon as possible after placing your order, or we won’t be able to fulfil it. For peace of mind, send your prescription to us via a signed method so you can check that it arrived.
Human Medicines
In some instances, your vet may prescribe a non-veterinary medicine for your pet (they will use the word “cascade”). You can still purchase these from us, but only by telephone order. Call our Customer Service team on 01761 250 850, and they will walk you through the process, including how to get your prescription to us for these particular products.
Repeat Prescription Information
Some pets require long-term or even lifetime medication. In these cases, vets will typically write an ongoing or repeat prescription which can be used more than once. The number of times a repeat prescription can be used will be written on your prescription.
We are happy to accept repeat prescriptions for your pet’s medication, and these can be added to your account to prevent you from having to return to your vet’s surgery and pay for another prescription. Two limits apply to repeat prescriptions:
- The total amount prescribed - You can only buy the maximum amount of medicine shown on the prescription.
- Time - Repeat prescriptions are only valid for 6 months from the day it was written.
Once either of these limits is reached, the prescription is deemed to be exhausted, and we will be unable to process your order without a new prescription from your vet.
Once your prescription has been authorised, it will be saved under the “Prescriptions” tab on your Account Page.
Prescription Allowance
You'll see two numbers alongside your saved prescriptions under the “Prescriptions” tab on your Account Page. These are:
- The total amount prescribed
- The amount purchased so far
For repeat prescriptions, you will also see the expiry date of the prescription. This means you don’t need to buy all of your pet’s medication in one order but can order it as and when you need to in manageable, affordable chunks.
Pet Drugs Online is a Registered RCVS Vet Practice
We are registered as a Veterinary Practice Premises with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. You can verify our status by contacting the RCVS directly. Their contact details are available on the RCVS website.
Our premises reference number: 7159324.
Head Vet: Sarah Page-Jones (BVSC CertSAS MBA PhD MRCVS)
Reference number: 6150505.
This can be verified by visiting the register list at RCVS.
Veterinary Medicines Directorate Accreditied Retailer
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is the government agency responsible for issues concerning the use and manufacture of veterinary medicines in the UK.
The Summary of Product Characteristics (SPCs) for all the medicinal products sold on this site are available from the Veterinary Medicine’s Directorate Product Information Database.
Guidance for Animal Owners
For guidance and advice for animal owners, please visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website.
Complaints About Veterinary Medicines
If you have a complaint about a veterinary medicine that you do not feel Pet Drugs Online has resolved satisfactorily, you can contact the VMD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Vet Insist I Post the Original Prescription to You?
Yes. If the prescribing vet stipulates on the written prescription that the original must be presented (such as in some of the cases mentioned above), then we cannot accept any scans or photographs of the prescription. You will need to post your prescription to us at:
Pet Drugs Online
Unit 7B, Burnett Business Park
Gypsy Lane
Keynsham
Bristol
BS31 2ED
Can I Drop Off My Prescription?
Absolutely! If you live locally and it’s easier for you to drop your pet’s prescription off in person, then that’s fine with us. Simply post the prescription through our letter box, but make sure you include all the details we ask for with postage prescriptions.
Please note you cannot pick up your prescription from us.
Can I Change Any Information on My Pet’s Prescription Without Going Back To the Vet?
The prescribing vet is the only one who can amend your pet’s actual prescription. However, you can alter some of your order details, such as your delivery address and the amount you order.
It is against the law to alter a veterinary prescription, and any instances of such will be promptly reported.
Is it Normal for a Vet to Charge for a Prescription?
Yes. While your vet must write you a prescription for off-site fulfilment if requested, they are within their right to charge a reasonable fee for doing so. The amount varies but is usually between £20-£35.
If you want to get your money's worth, you can ask your vet for a repeat prescription, which can be used multiple times.
How Long Does a Prescription Last?
The time a prescription remains valid varies. In most cases, the prescription is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. Certain prescriptions, however, must be dispensed within 28 days after the date of issue, so we need the prescription well in advance.
All prescriptions will specify to us the maximum amount of medication that can be purchased using it. Once the expiry date or maximum prescribed limit is reached, the prescription is deemed “exhausted” and cannot be used again.
What if my Pet Has Adverse Reactions to their Medication?
No prescription treatment is entirely risk-free, and all medicines have the potential to cause adverse reactions. Some of these reactions are known about when the medicines are first licensed. These will be detailed in the datasheet for your pet’s medication and should be discussed prior to treatment with your vet.
However, in the event of an adverse reaction to any medical product, it should be reported to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate with this form, and you should also report any adverse reaction to your vet.
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