Supplying flea treatment individually

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

Rob Loxley — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:02:07 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Stronghold puppy/kitten size actually comes in a multi-dose box designed to dispense individually as most would grow out of a pack of 3 before they used the last one, but altough there are no inserts for handing out[/quote]...

Ask Pfizer to send you some Stronghold dispensing envelopes, printed with all the relevant information, for this very purpose

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

Bob Russell — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:14:18 GMT

The legislation clearly states that a SQP can prescribe certain categories of prescription only medicines. By definition POM's have to be prescribed!

I sincerely hope they have improved the training requirements

An extract taken from the Internet:

In a move to further extend our training opportunities for members and non-members, the PCTA was approved in 2010 to deliver AMTRA SQP-C training for companion animal retailers. We are proud to offer the time efficient advantage of intensive learning through training that is tailored to your needs. Training is delivered on the base and companion animal modules at the PCTA office over 2-5 days. Shorter courses (2-3 days) are offered as review and exam preparation for those that wish to study at home and longer courses (4-5 days) are offered to teach and review the material. A one day review session just prior to a scheduled assessment date is also possible for small groups.

In a way the biggest issue I have is with the term 'prescribe'! If they had just left it at supply I probably would not have had a problem! Petty I am sure but it took 5 years training for me to be allowed to prescribe!!

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:31:02 GMT

Only if individual authorisation is given by a veterinary surgeon

Wynne

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

mariette asselbergs — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:24:49 GMT

I don't know about 5 days of training Bob, our nurse has been studying for weeks and will be examined on an amazing amount of issues from fysiology to laws to worm parasite cycles and resistance. I think the course and the exam have become miles more "serious" than say 5 years ago? And I don't think they can prescribe anything, only supply stuff. (SPQ stuff, not POM-V stuff).

But yes, I am happy that we are qualified to open a packet and supply individual tubes. I suppose once the packet is open and we have made a perfect protocol, the nurse, once qualified SQP, can then give out individual tubes with their leaflets too......?

Mariette

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

Bob Russell — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:07:48 GMT

It is one of the few 'perks' of 5 years training as a vet over 5 days training (''SQP'') is that we can break outers down as we feel fit. We supply photocopies of data sheets to go with these products.

(Inverted commas SQP as I cannot see how a few days training is appropriate to "prescribe" prescription medication!!)

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:53:28 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

I may be wrong, but I thinkit's legal for veterinary surgeons to split packs-but not for SQPs

Wynne

[/quote]

That is the crux of it - they have to sell it in the way the manufacturers provide the product, it is our privilege as vets to split packs. We do sell Frontline Combo as individual pipettes and Stronghold and Profender, if someone wants something non-standard then they get the box. Merial keep doing odd promos (buy 3 get one free, buy 6 get 2 free so you need open packs for that).

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:45:40 GMT

I may be wrong, but I thinkit's legal for veterinary surgeons to split packs-but not for SQPs

Wynne

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:45:07 GMT

Stronghold puppy/kitten size actually comes in a multi-dose box designed to dispense individually as most would grow out of a pack of 3 before they used the last one, but altough there are no inserts for handing out, the information is availalable off the internet. Provided a dispensing label is attached to every pipette with instructions for administration and the client is also advised verbally there should be no issue.

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

mariette asselbergs — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:33:57 GMT

Yes, we photocopy the client info

Mariette

Re: Supplying flea treatment individually

CatherineThomas — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:32:30 GMT

I didn't think there were any legal reasons not to supply them individually. We have a promotion with Bayer that puppies and kittens get one pipette free so we have open boxes that we use for this purpose and there are little cardboard envelopes with application details etc in them that we use for this purpose. Occasionally we sell them separately as well, particularly pdsa clients who can't afford a whole box but have a dog riddled with fleas. I'd rather they get one treatment and save up to come back for the rest than go without. And our practice manager wouldn't be happy with us giving out a whole box without taking the full payment.

I guess the only problem would be the fact that the information isn't with the single pipette, so if you can sort that out then i don't see why you can't do it.