Questions & Answers on Prescription Writing- Summer 2022

Questions& Answers on Prescription Writing

Question: What is my legal obligation for prescription writing and filling internet pharmacy prescription requests? I get dozens of requests to fill prescriptions from online pharmacies daily. It’s getting out of hand.

Answer: As a veterinarian with a current veterinarianclient-patient relationship (340.200 Definitions. [23]), the client has the right to receive a written prescription from a veterinarian. * The client can then take the written prescription to the pharmacy of their choice to have it filled. No other signatures, phone or fax authorizations are required.

*20 CSR 2270-4.031 Minimum Standards for Practice Techniques

(F) All clients shall have the right to receive a written prescription from their veterinarian to take to the pharmacy of their choice so long as a valid veterinarian-patient-client relationship exists.

- Excerpt from Mo. Veterinary Practice Act

Question continued: But I receive numerous faxes throughout the day from internet pharmacies asking me to approve a client’s prescription request when I have already given the client a written script.

Answer: If you have already given a written prescription to that client then no other action is needed.The pharmacy is removing the step of getting the prescription from the client by going straight to the veterinarian. This is a nice convenience for the owner and adds more daily workload for you and your staff. Retraining your clientele to submit the prescription to the pharmacies will alleviate these extra tasks for your team.

Question continued: In the past, I have had occurrences where the online pharmacy has changed my prescription quantities and refill amounts. Is there anything I can do about this?

Answer: Changing a prescription in any way that is not authorized by the veterinarian is illegal. These situations should be reported to the Missouri Board of Pharmacy. If the pharmacy is based in another state, you can also file a complaint with that states Board of Pharmacy.

Review any refills thoroughly or write a new prescription to the client.

Suggestions: •Create a policy for online prescription writing. •Communicate this policy with your client verbally. •Include the policy on your script pad.

Resources: Missouri Veterinary Medical Practice Act Missouri Pharmacy Board Missouri Veterinary Medical Association