Written prescriptions

Re: Written prescriptions

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 16:13:45 GMT

Most practices I work in charge a seperate prescription charge for each item

If you are doing 3, does it take less time, than 3 individuals, so can justify a reduced fee? Each need the same amount of time don't they?

Neil

Re: Written prescriptions

bob lehner — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:02:15 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Many are not so ethical and don't give a toss![/quote]

VMD has a list of their accredited internet pharmacies, who will behave ethically and only release meds on receipt of the original veterinary prescription.

Clients asking for a written prescription should be encouraged to use these accredited pharmacies - although sadly they cannot be forced to do so.

See: http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/InternetRetailers/accredited-retailers.aspx

Re: Written prescriptions

Bob Russell — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:50:51 GMT

I ordered some PLT from Viovet because I didn't want to order a full tub at that stage (for one of my dogs). They would not dispatch until the hard copy is received.

Many are not so ethical and don't give a toss!

I would never use an on-line prescription form. We use non-copy paper and clearly state that faxed/email copies are not valid. They come up with the words copy on the form!

Re: Written prescriptions

rachaelyost — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:20:06 GMT

This has probably been answered somewhere already but do owners not have to send the original written prescription into the company they order from? I have 4 copies of original scripts handed in by a client today who says she has to just fax a copy to the internet company?

Re: Written prescriptions

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:23:23 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]......and a visit from the Vetplus rep still pedalling their "we don't sell through internet pharmacies" rubbish, while the internet pharmacies are clearly awash with Synoquin[/quote] To be fair they don't say this, they say they won't give internet pharmacies a preferential discount, but there is nothing to stop the internet boys from negotiating a deal with say NVS.

Re: Written prescriptions

Rob Loxley — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:54:39 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Todd"]To stop buying from Drug Cos. who supply internet pharmacies[/quote]

How can drug companies stop internet pharmacies buying their items? Some try to limit to the wholesaler's "vet-only" list but that doesn't work when the pharmacy is run by a vet...

[quote user="Anthony Todd"]I remember when Hills promised to be vet only[/quote]

Plenty of companies still make farcical "only available in vets" claims; this week alone brought up for example (not that I'd buy either way):
Supreme's Vetcare Plus range "only available from vets" according to the rather green rep
Cosequin "available only from your veterinary surgeon" still proudly proclaimed on the bottle
and a visit from the Vetplus rep still pedalling their "we don't sell through internet pharmacies" rubbish, while the internet pharmacies are clearly awash with Synoquin

Re: Written prescriptions

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:31:58 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Todd"]

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]Of course, the most logical way forward is for the profession en masse[/quote]

To stop buying from Drug Cos. who supply internet pharmacies.

[/quote]

I might be wrong, but I don't think a drug company is allowed to refuse to supply an internet pharmacy, even if they wanted to. Restraint of trade and all that. Strange world where you are legally compelled to sell your goods, but there it is. And then there are all the dodgy "pharmacies" abroad that it seems no-one can do anything about.

Michael's idea of sending the prescription direct to the nominated company (and checking it was a UK one and VMD accredited) could work. And perhaps never allowing repeats.

Re: Written prescriptions

plantagenet — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:23:20 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Thoughts?[/quote]

good idea!

Re: Written prescriptions

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:55:46 GMT

Serious suggestion - is there anything to stop us refusing to physically hand the prescription over to the client and post it directly to the nominated medicine supplier? 'To prevent fraud'.

That way we are not refusing to supply a script and there is no way it can be used more than one?

Thoughts?

Re: Written prescriptions

Anthony Todd — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:43:39 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]Of course, the most logical way forward is for the profession en masse[/quote]

To stop buying from Drug Cos. who supply internet pharmacies.

I remember when Hills promised to be vet only.....

Re: Written prescriptions

Clive Ansell — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:37:58 GMT

I assumed that private prescriptions from GP's were a fixed cost? maybe not? last time I wanted some travel meds I was quoted £36 for the script alone, for 3 items I think.

I see that it is possible to obtain some prescription medicines without seeing a doctor, a worrying trend if it makes its way into the veterinary profession? just register online and fill a questionnaire.

Link

Re: Written prescriptions

Rob Loxley — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:09:07 GMT

So my NHS GP wanted £16 for a private prescription; our practice's £12 compares well

Re: Written prescriptions

Bob Russell — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 10:17:56 GMT

We charge £12 for the first item. Less for additional ones.

They are printed on non-copy paper that should not photocopy or fax without coming up as copy!

At the bottom we state that copies or faxed prescriptions are not valid but obviously we cannot enforce this. We also say that copies should be reported to us or the VMD!

I would refuse to issue a prescription if I had reason to suspect it would be misused just as I would refuse to issue medication in the same situation. All fairly academic as the situation has not arisen yet but we do make it clear that we take no responsibility for any medication purchased elsewhere - it is buyer beware!

Re: Written prescriptions

Clive Ansell — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 09:37:44 GMT

I don't know enough about the legalities really to know whether or not it would be enforcable. Another way may be to not give the document to the client, but only agree to send it directly to the pharmacy.

Of course, the most logical way forward is for the profession en masse to start charging realistic prescription fees. My GP charges £36 for a private script, someone on a previous thread here mentioned £1.50!

Re: Written prescriptions

Rob Loxley — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 08:57:08 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]Is there any reason why we could not enter "Original document only is valid, no copies to be accepted" or similar?[/quote]

How are you going to enforce or monitor this? The internet pharmacies have no vested interest or regulation or legal requirement to check a prescription has only been used there or to request the original, and have a vested interest in dispensing as many drugs for as few prescriptions charged to the client (i.e. the more clients are paying for prescriptions the less attractive internet purchases become). IME as long as they have a bit of paper faxed with the right words they're happy, and certainly aren't going to police prescription fraud.

The more you look at the whole area of veterinary prescription fraud and security/authenitication, the more you realise it is a huge joke!

Re: Written prescriptions

Clive Ansell — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 08:38:39 GMT

Is there any reason why we could not enter "Original document only is valid, no copies to be accepted" or similar?

Re: Written prescriptions

Rob Loxley — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 08:31:45 GMT

[quote user="nobbygonzo"]Also, is it right that internet pharmacies can accept emailed & faxed prescriptions, not just originals?[/quote]

Yes, except CDs (e.g. Epiphen)

[quote user="nobbygonzo"]Tippex works very well for doctoring them if copies are accepted.[/quote]

Or just sent the original script to multiple pharmacies.

It's crazy!!

Re: Written prescriptions

Karen Eggleton — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 22:28:05 GMT

Thanks for all replies. So we charge £8 per script so we are pretty lenient to start?

Had a very strange phone call today to add to my prescription irritation from a London based internet pharmacy. I had written a client a prescription for Advocate 40 Cat on a BVA prescription sheet. This stated that 1 x 3 pipette pack was to be dispensed and that this could be repeated three times in the 6 month period ie a year's supply for this cat . They rang me to ask how much they were to dispense. Couldn't figure this one out

Also, is it right that internet pharmacies can accept emailed & faxed prescriptions, not just originals? Tippex works very well for doctoring them if copies are accepted.

Re: Written prescriptions

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:27:34 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Have you tried negotiating with the client? A bit of discount/swap to a different vet generic etc can all be useful bargaining. Using this method I have never yet had to write a prescription (I wouldn't flatly refuse but I would make it difficult and quite expensive.)[/quote] Could have written that myself - come to think of it I already have in another thread. I would charge £15 per script and £5.50 for each additional medicine for those who are just trying to get things cheaper elsewhere. However for genuine cases I would charge a lot less or not at all - I have a client who rescues exotic wildlife from illegal collections and imports (and I mean exotic: saw a lemur and a penguin for him today, also had medication for things as diverse as crocodiles, wolves and elephants!) he wanted some Primaquine for bird malaria in some of his charges, NVS can't get it even as a special so I gave him a prescription free of charge.

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Re: Written prescriptions

Jo Cobbett — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 15:00:39 GMT

We have a fee for "subsequent prescription, same day" which is just over half the cost of the first prescription. I would think it takes less than 3x the time to generate one prescription for the an animal (checking history etc) then it would to generate three for the same animal

Re: Written prescriptions

Thomas Johnson — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:46:55 GMT

We use individual prescriptions for each drug, but charge less if writing more then one at a time for a client, I think the charge for the second one is about half the charge for the first. I would be happy to put more then one drug on a prescription, but our computer system generates them individually...

Re: Written prescriptions

Clive Ansell — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:04:23 GMT

Put all 3 items on one script, and just increase the fee?. £X x 3 = £3X x 1

One of my regular practices will include multiple items on a single script and charge one prescription fee plus a "medication determination fee" for each medicine. No hard and fast rules I guess, but that seems reasonable to me.

Re: Written prescriptions

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:53:08 GMT

A human medicine prescription can list multiple items. There is no reason you can't.

No reason why you can't charge for 3 though. Have you tried negotiating with the client? A bit of discount/swap to a different vet generic etc can all be useful bargaining. Using this method I have never yet had to write a prescription (I wouldn't flatly refuse but I would make it difficult and quite expensive.)

(think we charge ~£25 for a medicated feed prescription and £15 for a repeat so I'd quote that if someone wants to know)

Re: Written prescriptions

Rob Loxley — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:36:06 GMT

[quote user="nobbygonzo"]Any thoughts?[/quote]

I guess she can take it or leave it?