Medicines Act1981

Medicines regulations 1984

Human medicines

Human MedicineAre vets allowed to prescribe human

medicine which are not licensed animal remedies? Yes but this is “off licence” use.

Human MedicineThe medicines act and regulations only

apply to human medicines.Vets may prescribe and dispense human

drugs for animals under their care.If using human medicines they must stick

to the provisions of the medicines act and regulations.

Storage of medicinesPrescription or restricted medicine must

not be put:where food or drink are stored or kept

for ready use,or any place to which young children or

unauthorised persons have ready access.

Packing and preparing of medicinesPacking and preparing of medicines must

not:Be in any room, or on any table or

bench, that is used for the purpose of packing, preparing, or consuming any food or drink.

Storage and delivery of medicinesPrescription or restricted medicine must

not left in an unattended building or vehicle unless the building or vehicle is secured

against unlawful entryor the part of it in which the medicine is

kept.

Misuse of Drugs Act1975

Misuse of Drugs

Drugs of abuseIs designed to stop people abusing

addictive drugs or drugs with potential for abuse.

Vets are allowed to supply, prescribe and administer Class B or C controlled drugs.Class A: LSD, heroin, cocaine,

etorphine.Class B: opioids eg morphine.Class C: barbiturates, buprenorphine,

benzodiazepines, ketamine.

Controlled drugs must be secured (locked up) when not in use.

Secured means locked in a metal or concrete cabinet secured (bolted down) to the building and keys kept elsewhere.

Class B drugs must have usage recorded.Registers must at each branch Class B

stored or used.Properly bound book, not a ringbinder

or folder.Only for the purpose of recording the

controlled drugs.Kept for two years after the last entry.

Class B drugs register:Each drug should have its own page or

section.Pages must be numbered.Date order, Entries made within 24 hours of the drug

being used.Written in indelible ink. No entry may be altered or removed.

Corrections are in the margin or at the foot of the page. No correction fluid or erasing etc.

Class B drugs register:Records:

the purchase, use, including details of:

date used, quantity, patient and owner. The person administering the drug (a vet)

should countersign the entry.disposal and stock on hand of all Class B drugs