A VCPR exists when all of the following conditions have been met:
- The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making clinical
judgments regarding the health of the animal(s) and the need for medical
treatment.
- The client has agreed to follow the veterinarian’s instructions.
- The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) to initiate at
least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the
animal(s). This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is
personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal(s) by virtue
of an examination of the animal(s), or by medically appropriate and timely
visits to the premises where the animal(s) are kept.
- The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up evaluation or has
arranged for emergency coverage in the event of adverse reactions or failure
of the treatment regimen.
Veterinary Prescription Drugs
Definition: Veterinary prescription drugs are those drugs restricted by
federal law for use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. The law
requires that such drugs be labeled with the statement: "Caution: Federal
law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed
veterinarian."
Pharmaceuticals bearing the above label may be purchased from a veterinarian
or from a non-veterinary source. If purchased from a non-veterinary source, a
prescription from a licensed veterinarian is required. No prescription should be
given in the absence of a valid VCPR.
Extra Label Drug Use
Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) requires additional
management when a drug is not used in accordance with the drug’s labeling. For
such usage, the FDA specifies that the following criteria must be met:
- Make careful diagnosis and evaluation of the conditions for which the drug
is to be used.
- There is no approved animal drug that is labeled for such use or that
contains the same active ingredient in the required dosage form and
concentration.
- Alternatively, an approved animal drug exists, but a veterinarian finds,
within the context of a valid VCPR, that the approved drug is clinically
ineffective for its intended use.
Over the Counter Drugs (OTC) - These drugs can be sold without a
prescription, but must contain the following information on the label:
- Name of the drug
- Active ingredients
- Name of the manufacturer or distributor
- Directions for use
Prescription (Rx) drugs must contain this information on the label:
- Name of the drug
- Active ingredients
- Name of the manufacturer or distributor
- Directions for use
- Any special cautionary statements
- Name and address of the dispensing veterinarian, not just the clinic
- The statement "CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or
on the order of a licensed veterinarian."
The labels for drugs used in an "EXTRA LABEL" manner must have the
following:
- Name and address of the veterinarian dispensing the drug
- Active ingredients
- Directions for use as specified by the veterinarian (dosage, class of
animals, disease conditions, duration of therapy)
- Name of the owner
- Any special cautionary statements