Prescription medication

Prescription medication  

As part of your pet’s treatment plan, your vet may prescribe medication.

You can choose to buy it directly from the practice or ask for a written prescription so you can purchase it elsewhere. Having this choice allows you to decide what works best for you.

When weighing up your options, think about both cost and convenience. In an emergency, getting the medication straight from your vet is usually the quickest and safest option.

Don’t hesitate to ask about prices in advance. Your practice should be happy to talk through the costs, so you can make a clear, confident decision about your pet’s care.

Prescription fees  

Online retailers

If you choose to buy your pet’s medication online, always use a regulated, authorised retailer.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) maintains a list of accredited online retailers that meet strict standards for storing, handling, and dispensing medicines safely.

Fairness in pricing and prescriptions

You can ask the practice to tell you the cost of any medication that may be prescribed or dispensed.

The price of medication dispensed by your practice should be clearly itemised on your bill.

If you do decide to buy your pet’s medication elsewhere, your vet must not charge you more for other goods or services than they would a client who buys medication from the practice.

Long-term medication

If your pet needs medication for an ongoing condition, it's worth discussing the most cost-effective approach with your vet. Some pets need regular medication for months or even years.

Your vet can advise you on how often your pet should be examined while on long-term medication, and whether you can receive longer prescriptions to reduce the frequency of prescription fees. This helps you plan and budget for your pet's ongoing care.

Regular check-ups remain important even when you're buying medication elsewhere, as your vet needs to monitor your pet’s response to treatment and adjust the treatment plan if necessary.

Medication for parasites

Your vet may need to examine your pet before prescribing antiparasitic medications - such as flea, tick, or worm treatments - to ensure the most appropriate treatment is given. This helps reduce the risk of parasites developing resistance and minimises any potential environmental impact. 

Your vet will also take your pet’s lifestyle into account when deciding what to prescribe. This assessment can be carried out during your pet’s annual vaccination or routine health check.

When a vet can prescribe unauthorised medicines

Sometimes there isn't a medicine authorised in the UK for your pet's species or condition. To prevent unnecessary suffering in these situations, your vet may prescribe an unauthorised medicine under what's known as the cascade system.

This is particularly common for exotic pets, as few medicines are licensed for their species in the UK. Your vet must obtain your written consent before prescribing an unauthorised medicine and explain why this approach is necessary for your pet's treatment.

In some emergency situations, your vet may prescribe a medicine licensed for human use. If this happens, it’s essential to follow the dosage and instructions exactly as given. These medicines aren’t designed specifically for animals and must be used with great care to ensure your pet’s safety.