The decision to end remote dispensation follows a fall in the amount of prescriptions taking place.

Practices given a three-week extension to adjust protocols and policies.

Measures permitting remote prescribing are set to end at midnight on Sunday, 21 November, the RCVS has announced.

The decision follows a meeting of the RCVS Standards Committee on Tuesday (26 October), which agreed to end the dispensation. The measure had been previously extended to October 31.

Remote dispensation was implemented during the Spring 2020 lockdown to safeguard animal health and welfare and keep the veterinary team safe. The measure, which was kept under constant review, allowed vets to remotely prescribe prescription-only medicines (POM-Vs) without physically examining the animal.

Melissa Donald, RCVS junior vice-president and chair of the standards committee, said the decision to end remote dispension comes with a three-week extension to give veterinary practices time to adjust their protocols and policies.

“Due to a number of factors, including evidence that there has been a decline in the amount of remote prescriptions taking place, the Committee took the decision to end the dispensation, albeit with a three-week extension period to allow those practices that are still prescribing remotely to change their policies, inform their clients and so on," she said.
 
“While the dispensation is ending, it is worth noting that it will still be kept under review in light of any changes in the circumstances around the pandemic, including government advice and regulations.”

Full details about temporary dispensation can be found here.