Prescription Requirements
Legal requirements for veterinary prescriptions in Australia
Professional Responsibility Disclaimer
It is the veterinarian's responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations, and professional standards when prescribing medications. Scripter is a tool to assist in prescription management, but the prescribing veterinarian remains solely responsible for ensuring prescriptions are appropriate, compliant, and legally valid in their jurisdiction.
Overview
Scripter helps you create compliant prescriptions that meet all legal requirements for your jurisdiction. Understanding these requirements ensures your prescriptions are legally valid and accepted by pharmacies.
Scripter automatically formats prescriptions to meet legal requirements. This guide helps you understand what's required in your state.
Common Requirements
All Australian veterinary prescriptions must include:
- Date of issue
- Patient details (animal name, species, owner name)
- Client contact information (owner's name and address)
- Medication details (drug name, strength, quantity, dosage instructions)
- Prescriber information (your name, registration number, practice details)
- Prescriber signature
- Veterinary notation: "For animal treatment only"
State-Specific Requirements
Each state and territory has additional specific requirements:
New South Wales (NSW)
View NSW-specific prescription requirements
Victoria (VIC)
Coming soon
Queensland (QLD)
Coming soon
Prescription Validity
- Standard prescriptions: Valid for 12 months from date of issue
- Schedule 8 medications: Valid for 6 months from date of issue
- Schedule 4 Appendix D medications: Valid for 6 months from date of issue
Repeats
- Repeats must be specified on the prescription
- Each repeat must be dispensed at appropriate intervals
- Pharmacists must record each dispensing
Best Practices
Use Clear Language
Write dosage instructions in plain English that pet owners can understand.
Specify Quantities
Always include both the total quantity and the unit (e.g., "30 tablets" not just "30").
Include Contact Information
Ensure your practice contact details are current so pharmacies can reach you if needed.
Review Before Finalizing
Always review prescriptions before changing status to "Active" and exporting.
Compliance
Veterinary practitioners can only prescribe medications within their scope of practice. You must maintain records of all prescriptions issued.
Questions?
If you're unsure about specific requirements in your state, consult:
- Your state veterinary board
- Your professional indemnity insurer
- Your veterinary association
For Scripter-specific questions, contact info@scripter.au