Vets welcome 'under care' guidance review
"Continually extending the temporary measures without a full analysis would risk undermining our position" - BVA president, James Russell.
British Veterinary Association (BVA) president James Russell has welcomed a decision by RCVS Council to resume the 'under care' guidance review.
Mr Russell has also welcomed a decision by RCVS Council to review the temporary guidance that allows vets to prescribe POM-V products remotely without physically examining the animal, and has called on the College to bring this temporary measure to an end.
“We understand that allowing remote prescription of POM-Vs was a necessary measure at the height of the lockdown, as practices struggled to assess patients in person,” he said. “However, the veterinary professions have done a fantastic job in adapting to the restrictions and are now able to work safely and see patients.”
In September, BVA wrote to the RCVS raising concern over the August extension to the temporary guidance. In its latest update, the RCVS extended the temporary measure to 31 October but updated the guidance and flowchart to include additional steps before a POM-V can be remotely prescribed.
“Whilst we recognise the RCVS has provided additional guidance for the remote prescribing of POM-V, we cannot currently see any reason why a new client would be unable to access in-person veterinary care in the first instance and we are asking RCVS Council to reconsider this measure when it meets in Oct,” Mr Russell continued.
“It makes sense to continue allowing vets to remotely prescribe for existing patients, for example, if an owner is shielding, but we feel it is no longer appropriate to be remotely prescribing to animals that have never been physically examined by the vet.”
He added that questions about whether vets should be able to prescribe POM-Vs remotely is an 'important and live debate'. But he stressed that the longer the temporary measures are in place, 'the greater the expectation from animal owners that they will always be in place'.
“As a profession, we are rightly concerned about antimicrobial resistance and we pride ours ourselves on the responsible use of medicines,” he said. “Continually extending the temporary measures without a full analysis would risk undermining our position.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
