Written Prescription Terms & Conditions
At The Ealing Vet, we are happy to provide written prescriptions for your pet’s long-term medication and parasite prevention, allowing you to purchase these products online. All prescription requests must be submitted via our written prescription request form. By submitting a request, you confirm that you have read and understood the terms below.
General Prescribing Policy
Prescriptions are issued for an individual pet and we will always provide the maximum quantity that is legally and clinically appropriate at the time of issue.
Your pet must have been examined by a veterinary surgeon within an appropriate timeframe in order for a prescription to be supplied:
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3–6 months for most medications (depending on type)
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Up to 12 months for parasite control (subject to an agreed plan)
Pets starting new medications must be assessed and approved by a veterinary surgeon before a written prescription can be issued.
Written prescriptions are only provided for long-term medications (courses exceeding two weeks).
Medication Quantities
The amount of medication that can be prescribed is determined by the time elapsed since your pet’s last examination:
Quantity Calculation Examples
1. Medications on a 6-Month Repeat
6 minus months since last exam = allowance allowed
Example:
• Last exam 4 months ago → 2 months’ supply
• Last exam 7 months ago → no allowance
2. Medications on a 3-Month Repeat
3 minus months since last exam = allowance allowed
Example:
• Last exam 1 month ago → 2 months’ supply
• Last exam 4 months ago → no allowance
3. Parasite Control
12 minus months since last exam = allowance allowed
Example:
• Last exam 4 months ago → 8 months’ supply
• Last exam 13 months ago → no allowance
If the time since the last examination exceeds the allowed period, no medication can be prescribed until your pet is re-examined.
Quantities issued are non-negotiable.
Parasite Control (Flea & Worming Medication)
Flea and worming treatments are typically supplied in fixed packs (commonly 3-month packs). As a result, prescriptions must be issued in pack quantities rather than exact monthly amounts.
For example:
If your pet is eligible for 11 months of treatment, we are only able to prescribe 3 packs of 3 months’ medication (9 months total).
Purpose and Design of Written Prescriptions
The way we issue written prescriptions is specifically designed so that prescriptions do not expire before the maximum legally permitted usage period. We aim to issue prescriptions for the highest quantity that is legally and clinically appropriate at the time of request.
If your pet is eligible for 6 months or less of medication, it may not be cost-effective to proceed with a written prescription. In these cases, it may be more appropriate and economical to purchase the medication directly from us. The written prescription fee remains non-refundable regardless of the quantity issued.
Long-Term Medications Only
Written prescriptions are only issued for long-term medications (defined as courses longer than two weeks). Pets starting new medications must have approval from the veterinary surgeon before a written prescription can be issued.
Your pet must have been examined by us within the last 3–6 months (depending on the medication type) in order for a written prescription to be supplied.
Timing of Requests
To receive the maximum amount of medication, you are strongly advised to request a written prescription at the time of consultation or shortly afterwards.
Requests made later will result in a reduced quantity in line with legal and professional obligations.
Fees, Payment & Processing Times
Written prescriptions cost £27 per prescription
Fees must be paid in advance and are non-refundable
Please allow a minimum of 1 week for processing routine medications and 2 weeks for processing controlled drugs requests
You must allow additional time for your chosen supplier to dispense and deliver medication (we recommend allowing up to 2 weeks in total)
If only a small quantity of medication is available (e.g. 6 months or less), it may be more cost-effective to purchase directly from us.
No Changes After Dispensing
Once a written prescription has been issued, no changes can be made to the medication or quantity.
If amendments are required, a new prescription and fee will apply.
Opening Hours & Contacting Us
We are open on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries outside of our opening hours.
Pharmacies & Dispensing
We are unable to recommend or advise on specific online pharmacies. You should ensure that any pharmacy you use is registered with and approved by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
We recommend avoiding human pharmacies for pet medications. If you choose to use one and require us to contact them, a £25 administration fee will apply.
Expiry & Responsibility
Prescriptions will either include a stated expiry date or be valid for up to 6 months from the date of issue, depending on the medication
All medication must be dispensed and used before the expiry date
It is the client’s responsibility to ensure prescriptions are used in time
If a prescription expires or is not fully used, a new prescription and fee will be required.
Puppies & Kittens
Written prescriptions are not issued for puppies and kittens until they are fully grown, as changes in body weight may result in incorrect dosing.