Prescription FAQ`s


In 2003, the law changed to allow pharmacies to dispense veterinary medications Click here to read. The purpose of that was to create competition in the market with the aim of reducing pet medication prices for members of the public. Traditional High Street pharmacies tend not to stock medicine for animals and veterinary surgeons tended to use high mark-ups.

In October 2005 the law was changed again to prevent vets from charging their customers for providing prescriptions for a period of 3 years whilst allowing other veterinary surgeons to dispense veterinary medicines. Click here to read. From that date Vet UK started to offer a lower priced alternative for buying your pet medications.

How do I get a prescription and where to I send it?
Ask your vet to write you a prescription (in fact you should be offered on by your vet if they feel a prescription only medicine is required to treat your pet). Once obtained place your order and post the prescription to us with the order number written on the top right hand corner. Please address to Vet UK (Prescriptions), Units 7 & 8 Europark, Station Road, Thirsk YO7 1GQ.

Will my vet make a charge for providing a prescription?
Yes, veterinary surgeons can now charge a "reasonable fee" for the writing and presenting to yourself of a prescription. As you are now being charged for the prescription do ensure you make the most of the fee by ensuring all your medications are on one prescription and that repeats are allowed. Many will try and charge a "Medicine Determination Fee" or other similar fee possibly in addition to the prescription fee; but this MUST be applied to ALL dispensed prescription only medicines from that practice and not applied only to those clients who choose to take the prescription elsewhere. Further information can be sought from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons who also deal with complaints against vets should you need to.

Can my vet refuse to issue a prescription?
If you are recommended by your vet to use any prescription item for the treatment of your pet you are entitled by law to a prescription instead if you wish. Sometimes this will not be appropriate, but if it is you can take the prescription for dispensing away from the practise and should not be disadvantaged by doing so.

If I get a prescription from my vet can they then insist my animal has more frequent check-ups?
No, that would be illegal. A vet cannot discriminate between customers purchasing medication from themselves and elsewhere. i.e. your pets` check up interval cannot be altered just because you ask for a prescription, an alteration is a clinical decision and must be justifiable.

How long can I use a prescription for?
Prescriptions are valid for use within 6 months of the date on the prescription.

My animal takes long-term medication, do I need to get a new prescription every time?
No, ask your vet to write you a repeat prescription which should cover you normal check up period. You can then buy from this prescription up to the quantity specified or until it expires. You will then require a new prescription.

Do I need to purchase everything on the prescription at the time of order?
No, you can buy as much or as little as you like. However, if ordering from a prescription already held at Vet UK please ensure you tell us with a message in the message box during checkout otherwise a delay in despatch will occur.

Can I return POM-V medications for a refund?
Unfortunately no. Once a POM-V medication has been dispensed and received by yourself we cannot take it back for a refund only to dispose of.

Can I scan/email prescriptions to you?
No, in the interests of animal health, faxed or emailed prescriptions are not acceptable. We require the original prescription to be posted to us: