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 drugs can be bought at the same time if you want.)
- Post, fax or scan and 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.
Email Address (for scanned prescriptions)
support@viovet.co.uk Fax Number (for faxing prescriptions)
01438 832192 Postal Address (for posting prescriptions)
VioVet
Unit 1, Enterprise Park
Claggy Road
Kimpton
SG4 8HP
United Kingdom
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. 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 2003 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 dies and I still have some left?
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.
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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