New NSW VPB policy allows flexibility in supply of pain management medication for animal husbandry procedures in production animals

Part of the advocacy around rescheduling of analgesics involved in animal husbandry procedures was advocating to veterinary practitioner boards to utilise contemporary methods of demonstrating a vet-farmer relationship, especially the need for a more flexible approach to prescribing analgesic medications for husbandry. This advocacy has been driven by the Sheep, Camelid and Goat Veterinarians special interest group and a special mention must go to past president Dr Andrew Whale, for his contribution.  

Pleasingly the NSW veterinary practitioners board has introduced a  “supply of pain management medication for animal husbandry procedures in production animals” policy. A yearly physical farm visit is still required for prescribing therapeutic medications (which the AVA supports), however, the new policy allows that, after the first farm visit to establish the bona-fide relationship, the 12 monthly “re-visits” to prescribe routine husbandry analgesics can be by farm visit OR “technology-based consultation”.  Good record keeping is required and the vet has a role monitoring usage, which we also support. 

This modification fits with what we put forward and is in line our telemedicine policy. We will continue to advocate for similar changes in states that have not yet adopted a similar policy (Queensland, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania).