College Connection | Winter 2024
Panel provides advice on providing written prescriptions
College Connection | Winter 2024
LEARNING IN PRACTICE
Panel provides advice on providing written prescriptions
Case Summary
The member administered a vaccination to the client ’ s dog and prescribed tick prevention medication .
Following the appointment , the client requested a copy of the prescription to purchase the medication online at a lower cost . The member refused to provide the prescription and expressed concerns about the safety of the product offered through online sources .
Case Outcomes
The Complaints Committee panel decided the allegations did not warrant a referral to the Discipline Committee . The panel advised the member of their professional obligation to provide a written prescription for a drug that a veterinarian has determined is indicated for a patient , when requested by a client .
The College ’ s Professional Practice Standard – Prescribing a Drug , as well as the Guide to the Professional Practice Standard – Prescribing a Drug , outline the College ’ s expectations for veterinarians prescribing drugs .
Case Considerations
In considering the complaint , the Complaints Committee panel reviewed medical records and written submissions . As is standard for all investigations , the panel considered previous proceedings , if any .
The client stated that following their visit to the veterinary clinic , they requested a written prescription for the tick medication that had been prescribed by the veterinarian to purchase it online at a lower price .
They said the clinic refused to provide the prescription , made comments that implied the online product was dangerous , and communicated in a way that seemed aggressive and racist .
The member clarified it was the receptionist , not the veterinarian , who handled the request . The member supported the receptionist ’ s decision and explained the clinic usually dispenses drugs from its in-house pharmacy and only issues written prescriptions in special circumstances .
The receptionist acknowledged warning the client about online medications but said these comments were based on personal experience and denied any racist intent .
The panel reviewed the College ’ s Professional Practice Standard – Prescribing a Drug , which states that a veterinarian must provide a written prescription when requested by a client , unless an oral prescription is specifically requested .
The panel acknowledged that it is reasonable for veterinarians or their staff to discuss the potential risks of purchasing veterinary drugs online . However , the panel had concerns that the member did not recognize their responsibilities around providing a client with a written prescription .
As a result of the complaint , the College assisted the member to improve their practice by issuing advice about providing a written prescription so the member can make changes to their practice and avoid a similar concern from happening in the future .
References
• College ’ s Professional Practice Standard – Prescribing a Drug
• Guide to the Professional Practice Standard – Prescribing a Drug
• October 2024 E-Update article : Rules around pharmaceuticals unchanged
Veterinarians have a responsibility to provide safe , quality care . The College assists veterinarians in doing so when matters are reviewed by the Complaints Committee . The public has a right to ask questions about the care that was provided to their animal ( s ) and this process provides veterinarians with feedback on whether they have met the standards of practice or whether there are improvements needed to mitigate risks in practice . The Committee provides advice or may request a veterinarian enter into an undertaking when remediation would reduce risks and support a veterinarian in meeting the standard of practice . Only the most serious cases , where there is bad intent , incompetence , reckless behaviour , or a history of failure to remediate at-risk behaviour are referred to the Discipline Committee for a discipline hearing to determine if an act of professional misconduct or serious neglect may have occurred . This example is taken from a case that was reviewed by the Complaints Committee and is offered as a self-reflection tool to support veterinarians in understanding how to meet the standards of practice .
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