Filling of scripts from another veterinarian

Recent changes to the Medicines & Poisons Act 2019 (Amendment Regulation 2022) have been made. Clarification has been received from the QLD Government around the ability of a veterinarian to dispense a medication on the prescription provided by another veterinarian.

Veterinarians are not able to fill a script from another vet without “a bona fide relationship with the animal being treated, such that the dispensing veterinary surgeon is satisfied that the medicine they are supplying is appropriate treatment for the animal”. This will usually mean, in the case of companion animals, that the patient will need to have been examined in relationship to the medication being dispensed by the dispensing vet.

A veterinarian can dispense medication to a client if the treating veterinarian is at the same practice, however the dispensing veterinarian would need to ensure they are satisfied they are dispensing appropriately (eg reviewing the patient record).