Buying a prescription-only-medicine from VioVet.co.uk is really easy; just follow the 3 steps below: - Ask your vet for a signed prescription. Your vet will provide this on request.
- Locate the drugs on our site, add them to your shopping basket, and proceed to the checkout. Pay with your credit or debit card using our secure payment facility. (Non-prescription item drugs and food can be bought at the same time if you want.)
- Post or Email the prescription to us. Please write your order number in the top right-hand corner so we can match it with your order. (Note we might need to contact your vet directly, to confirm any of the details on your prescription.)
We will post the drugs to you normally within 24 hours of receiving your order and signed prescription. The prescription has to be signed by your vet. If it helps you can print a blank prescription from here. Take it to your vet to complete and sign as required, and then send it to us. Many vets prefer to use their own prescription form. This is also fine. Many medicines do not require a prescription at all and can be bought from us without having to go to your vet. We can provide advice on their use by email. You can find our non-prescription drugs by browsing through the categories on our home page, or using the search box. (You can search by entering any part [or parts] of the name. For instance typing rim 50 would find rimadyl 50mg tablets.) It should be noted that unfortunately, we cannot accept returns for prescription medication (even if unopened and still sealed). We would like to be able to, but the law states that doing this is illegal. We're really sorry. We can accept returns for non-prescription medication and other items if in a resalable condition. 
Upload a Prescription on our website (our prefered method)You can do this at any time by logging into your account and selecting the option called View prescriptions that I have on my account or upload new ones from your Account Overview. Click Here to go there now. This is the easiest and quickest option if you have a scanner attached to your computer. It is immediately matched up to your account and we are informed of the update for quickest dispatch of your order. Postal Address (for posting prescriptions)
VioVet
Unit 1, Enterprise Park
Claggy Road
Kimpton
SG4 8HP
United Kingdom
Email Address (for emailing prescriptions)
prescriptions@viovet.co.uk Fax Number (for faxing prescriptions, but we prefer Posted, Uploaded or Emailed if possible)
01438 832192
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a prescription?
This is the written instruction from your vet explaining which drug is required, the dose to be given, and details about the patient and person who prescribed it. Prescriptions from vets are essentially the same as those from doctors. What is the name of the law that governs prescriptions and the supply of veterinary medicines?
The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009. For a printable (116 page document) that you can refer to, see this page. The document is in PDF format and so you will need a free PDF reader to open it, such as Adobe Reader (if you don't already have it as it comes pre-installed on many computers these days). Which medicines require a prescription?
Generally drugs which can be harmful in some way if used incorrectly require a prescription. Others do not need this legal safeguard on their supply. On VioVet website, all medicines are clearly labelled as “Prescription required” at the end of their description if this is the case. Why do some medicines require a prescription?
Some medicines are legally classed in this way to safeguard your pet's health and the general public. They may cause harm if used incorrectly. You can buy them from your vet, a pharmacy, or an authorised internet outlet such as VioVet.co.uk. How do I get a prescription?
You just have to ask your vet. The law changed in 2005 to require vets to allow their clients to buy drugs from the supplier of their choice. Your vet will be familiar with this procedure now, and will provide a signed prescription on request. To save your vet's time, you can print off a blank prescription for to take to your vet to be filled in. You then need to send this to us before we can despatch any “prescription only” medicines. Will my vet charge me for providing a prescription?
This used to be illegal, but now vets often do charge. You will have to check with your vet what his/her fee will be. Can my vet insist on an extra check-up, or blood test, before providing a written prescription?
Only if they would require that same check-up if they were going to sell you the drug themselves. They cannot insist on extra check-ups for clients who choose to buy elsewhere. Most vets will provide repeat prescriptions for long-term medications (such as arthritis or heart treatments) for 6 months. After that length of time, they usually insist on seeing your animal before any more medicine can be purchased, wherever you choose to buy it from. This is generally accepted as the correct procedure under current legislation, though it is up to your vet to decide on the frequency of check-ups. Do I need a prescription for 'Prescription Diets'?
No, you definitely do not. However these diets are often unsuitable for normal, healthy animals, so you should seek professional advice before feeding them. Do I need a prescription for every order?
You can ask your vet to write a “repeat prescription”, which allows you to buy the named medicines a specified number of times. Most vets are happy to supply a prescription which will allow you to buy 6 months worth of medicines. (So the stated quantity of tablets for instance might last for one month, but it might be authorised for five repeats, hence a full 6 month’s worth can be purchased using the same prescription.) You can then choose to buy them all at once, or ask us to keep the prescription on file and order one month’s worth as you need them. Can my vet refuse to issue a prescription?
Legally a vet is obliged, on request, to issue a written prescription for a medicine they would be prepared to sell to you themselves. Can I return prescription drugs if my animal no longer needs them?
We would love to be able to help you out in this situation, but unfortunately, legally we cannot accept any returns of prescription medicines for a refund. They can be returned for disposal only. Sorry. Can I request a prescription from my vet for a particular drug?
You can make such a request, but legally only vets can actually decide which prescription-only medicines are to be used in any particular animal. If you find something which you believe would be beneficial, or cheaper than the drug your vet has prescribed, then most vets will happily consider such a request. They still have the final say. Obviously if your vet does not seem to be helpful about anything, you can seek a second opinion from another vet. What additional restrictions are there for Scheduled Drugs (such as Epiphen)?
Prescriptions for certain drugs don't quite follow the rules shown above. There is only a small handful of these and they will show on our website as a "Scheduled Drug". The differences regarding prescriptions between these drugs and most of the prescription drugs listed on the website are as follows:
- The full quantity of medication allowed on the prescription must be purchased within 28 days of the date signed - not 6 months.
- The original prescription must be posted to us - we cannot accept faxed, emailed, uploaded, photocopies, etc for legal reasons.
- The prescription must be written out by a UK qualified vet and they cannot be shipped abroad.
We are sorry for the inconvenience caused by these extra restrictions, but it is the law (Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001). Please don't even both asking us to make exceptions to the above, regardless of the situation.
The information provided above represents the opinions of the author and is intended only as a guide. VioVet is not qualified to offer legal advice and cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the information given.
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