What are Prescription Drugs?

Prescription drugs are products that have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and can be purchased only on the order of a licensed veterinarian (or physician, dentist, etc. for human products). Products that are placed in the category of a prescription drug are those that need special instructions for their use and that have the potential to cause harm if given inappropriately. Drugs that can be used safely without special instructions are referred to as over-the-counter (OTC) products.

Who Can Write a Prescription?

Only certain licensed healthcare professionals can “write” a prescription. Veterinarians are the only healthcare professionals legally allowed to write prescriptions for animals. Veterinarians must meet certain requirements before they can provide a prescription for their patients. Chief among these is that a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) must be established and maintained. To establish and maintain a valid VCPR, the following conditions must be met:

  1. The veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal(s) and has discussed any treatment needed with the client, including providing instructions on administering drugs or treatment.

  2. The veterinarian has examined the animal(s) and is personally acquainted with the care of the animal(s). This examination must have taken place within a medically appropriate time with a maximum of one year.

Traditionally there have been two methods to provide a client with a prescription, telephonic and pen-and-paper (prescription pad). In both of these methods, the process is initiated by the veterinarian/prescriber, with instructions being given to the pharmacist.

Who Can Fill a Prescription?

Only a licensed pharmacist can fill a prescription. The pharmacy (including Internet or mail-order pharmacies) must also be licensed if it is located within California. Nonresident pharmacies (including Internet/mail-order pharmacies) must be “registered” with the California Board of Pharmacy and licensed in the state where they are located.

(As a side note, when your veterinarian sends medications home, he/she is “dispensing” medications and is not technically filling a prescription. A veterinarian cannot fill a prescription ordered by another veterinarian, unless he/she is also a licensed pharmacist.)

Prescription Refill Policy

Lawndale Pet Hospital has an extensive in-house pharmacy that ranges from antibiotics to medications that perform a highly specific function, such as anti-seizure medication. A few of our medications require frequent testing to ensure that your pet does not get harmed by taking such medications for an extended period of time.

Additionally, some of our medications are classified as “controlled substances.” A controlled substance is a medication that is highly regulated and tracked by the DEA which means that we are required to adhere to the guidelines for obtaining, storage of, and dispensing each controlled substance.

Regardless of medication, your pet is required to see our doctor for a physical exam at least once a year in order to be able to receive any sort of prescription medication, as per the guidelines set forth by the Veterinary Medical Board. Please reference the following list to understand which of our medications have special requirements and guidelines:

  • HydrocodoneControlled substance

    • You cannot refill this medication as per DEA guidelines

    • If your pet’s condition has not resolved and you feel that your pet needs more of this medication, you need to come in for an exam (not a recheck) so that the doctor can determine whether or not your pet would benefit from continuing to take this medication

  • Phenobarbitol

    • Controlled substance

    • You can only obtain up to one month’s worth of medication at a time

    • You can only get 5 refills of this medication within a six-month period. The six-month period begins on the day that the medication was originally prescribed. This six-month period also applies to written prescriptions that are meant to be filled elsewhere

    • Requires an exam every six months

    • Requires bloodwork every six months

  • Tramadol

    • Controlled substance

    • You can only obtain up to one month’s worth of medication at a time

    • You can only get 5 refills of this medication within a six-month period. The six-month period begins on the day that the medication was originally prescribed. This six-month period also applies to written prescriptions that are meant to be filled elsewhere

  • Prednisone

    • Long term usage (6+ months) requires bloodwork every six months before we are able to refill

    • Requires an exam every six months

  • Temaril-P

    • Long term usage (6+ months) requires bloodwork every six months before we are able to refill

    • Requires an exam every six months

  • Metacam/Meloxidyl/Loxicom

    • Long term usage (6+ months) requires bloodwork every six months before we are able to refill

    • Requires an exam every six moths

  • Methimazole

    • Long term usage (6+ months) requires bloodwork at least once a year

    • Requires an exam at least once a year

  • Levothyroxine

    • Long term usage (6+ months) requires bloodwork at least once a year

    • Requires an exam at least once a year

  • Insulin

    • Long term usage (6+ months) requires bloodwork at least once a year and a blood glucose curve or fructosamine test

    • Requires an exam at least once a year

  • Any medications used to manage heart disease

    • Long term usage (6+ months) requires bloodwork at least once a year and a ProBNP panel

    • Requires an exam at least once a year

Written Prescription Policy

Because we do not have an adequate working relationship established with most Internet/mail-order pharmacies and because of the unknown conditions encountered in the transport and storage of medications, the unknown source of products, and the uncertain legal status of some pharmacies, it is our hospital policy not to authorize or approve prescription requests sent to us by fax or telephone from Internet/mail-order pharmacies.

Instead, we will be happy to give you a written prescription that you can have filled at the pharmacy of your choice.

If you choose to utilize the services of an Internet/mail-order pharmacy, we suggest that you check with the California Board of Pharmacy to verify that it has met all of California’s consumer protection requirements, including registration. Some nonresident pharmacies are facing disciplinary action in their home states. (California Board of Pharmacy, 400 R Street, Suite 4070, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-445-5014, fax 916-327-6308, web address http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/.)

You may also want to visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website HERE. Although this website is about human prescription medications, it also applies to veterinary products to obtain information on buying prescription medicines online. From the homepage, enter “prescription safety guide” in the search window.

We hope you find this information useful. Please contact us if you have any questions.