Deadline for Registered Premises Renewals
Since the 1st April 2009, veterinary surgeons working in veterinary practices have been required to supply veterinary medicines only from practice premises that are on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Practice Premises. The RCVS holds the Register on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). 'Suitably qualified persons' (SQPs) - which include some veterinary nurses - can legally supply medicines only from approved premises, such as those on the RCVS Register.
"The legal requirement for veterinary surgeons was brought in through the implementation of the 2008 Veterinary Medicines Regulations," says Christine Fraser, RCVS Head of Registration. "Under these regulations, although anyone can administer the paperwork, vets need personally to check that the premises from which they supply medicines have been registered."
She also reminds vets that, if a practice moves location, an application to register the new premises needs to be made; premises registrations cannot be relocated. "You can transfer an existing registration of the premises to a new owner though - if you notify us," says Christine.
There is a £40 fee to register or renew the registration of premises, and premises will be subject to medicines inspections every four years, at a cost of £250 per premises. For Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) practices, the costs of registering practice premises and routine medicines inspections are included in the annual PSS fees for fully accredited practices.
Further information about registering premises can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/premisesregister
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. 
