Legislation

Ordering prescriptions with petmeds.co.uk is possible due to legislation passed on 31st October 2005.


http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/uksi_20052751_en.pdf
http://http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/uksi_20052745_en.pdf



In summary the changes in legislation


• prevent veterinary practices charging clients for writing a prescription


• states that a client should be offered a prescription which can be taken to any other dispensary


• prevents a vet from increasing the frequency an animal should be examined in order to recoup the reduction in revenue



The legislation was passed following a detailed report by the competition commission started in 2001 concluding in 2003
http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/2003/478vetmeds.htm



This report found a complex monopoly situation involving veterinary surgeons engaged in one or more of the following conducts:


• failing to inform animal owners that they can ask for prescriptions, or discouraging requests for prescriptions, or declining to provide prescriptions on request;


• failure to inform clients of the price of prescriptions prior to dispensing them, or to provide itemised bills; and


• pricing of prescriptions without reflection to their cost of supply, including:
o mark-ups on manufacturers' list prices that take no account of the discounts and rebates they receive from wholesalers and manufacturers, or do not reflect variations in those discounts and rebates; and
o pricing prescriptions to subsidize, to a greater or lesser extent, professional fees.
 


If you have any questions or comments regarding the supply of prescription medication please contact us.