This is easily the thing we get asked about most here at Vetpost, and the simplest way to think about it is exactly how it works for us humans. You go along to your doctor, they examine you and write the script, and then you take that script off to a pharmacy to get it filled. Your vet is the doctor in that story and we’re the pharmacy, so the prescription has to come from them rather than from us, and we can’t write you one ourselves any more than your chemist could write your own 🙂
Once your vet has written it they can either email it straight through to us at pharmacy@vetpost.co.nz or give you the signed paper copy for you to post in, and once it’s with us we load it onto your account and the product unlocks so you can order it.
Why some things need a prescription
It’s the same split you see at the chemist. Plenty of what we sell can go straight in your cart, like supplements, shampoos and some flea and worm products. Others need your vet’s say-so. These are either restricted veterinary medicines, which are made and registered for animals, or human medicines that vets use in animals when there’s no animal version.
You’ll see PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICATION on the product page, so you’ll know well before you reach the checkout. These medicines need a script because somebody has to have examined your animal to know that medicine, at that dose, is right for them.
Why your vet needs to have seen your pet
Your vet can only prescribe for an animal that’s under their care. That means they’ve examined your pet and know enough about how they’re doing right now to be confident the medicine is still the right one. It’s the same reason your own doctor wouldn’t prescribe medicine for someone they’d never met.
It’s also why long-term medicines come with regular check-ups. Conditions change, doses sometimes need adjusting, and a medicine that suited your pet a year ago might not be the best choice today. A check-up is how your vet makes sure the prescription stays right for them.
I’m always happy to help with general product questions by email. The prescription itself has to come from the vet who has examined your pet.
How much you can get, and how long it lasts
How much we can supply depends on the medicine and what your vet has authorised. For cats and dogs, a prescription can generally authorise up to six months’ treatment with a restricted veterinary medicine, or three months’ treatment with a human prescription medicine, including any repeats. Controlled drugs are limited to one month’s treatment. Your vet may prescribe a shorter course. Different limits apply for horses, production animals and critically important antibiotics.
The date by which a prescription must be dispensed is separate from the amount of treatment it authorises. Always check the expiry date and any dispensing conditions on your prescription.
We can only send what your vet has authorised. If the script is written for one bottle, one bottle is what we can send, even if you’d rather have two.
How repeats work
A repeat lets you order the same medicine again without needing a new prescription. Your vet decides how many repeats to allow and writes the number on the script, and each order uses one up.
Repeats don’t add extra time on top of the limits above. They sit inside them. For example, a monthly medicine for your dog might be prescribed as one pack plus five repeats, which covers six months in total.
When the repeats are used up, or the prescription reaches its expiry date (whichever comes first), you’ll need a new one. If no repeats are written, every order needs a fresh prescription. If your pet is on something long term, ask your vet about repeats when they write it. It saves you contacting the clinic each time.
What’s on the prescription
It’ll have your details and your pet’s, including breed, sex and age, the medicine and its strength, the quantity, the dose and how often it’s given, how long it’s valid for, and whether it can be filled more than once (“repeats”). That last one is the repeat and it’s the bit worth checking, because if your vet has allowed repeats you can come back and order again within the life of that script, and if they haven’t then every single order needs a fresh one. If your pet is on something long term, ask for repeats at the time rather than ringing the clinic every few weeks.
How to ask your vet for one
Most clinics write prescriptions every day, and it’s an ordinary request. If your vet would otherwise sell you the medicine themselves, they’re expected to write you a prescription when you ask for one. Some clinics charge a small fee for this, which is fair enough, as it’s their time and their name on it.
“Could I please have a written prescription so I can order this online?” is all it takes.
Getting it through to us
The easiest way is to ask your clinic to email it to pharmacy@vetpost.co.nz. Clinics all around the country already do this for us every day.
If your vet gives you the signed paper original instead, that actual piece of paper needs to be posted to us, as we can’t work from a photo or a scan. Please pop a note in with your email address so we can match it to your account.
If your order gets stuck
Most prescriptions come through without any trouble. When something does hold things up, it’s usually one of these:
- The prescription went to a different pharmacy. Clinics work with several online pharmacies, so it can end up in the wrong inbox. A quick call asking to check the prescription was sent to pharmacy@vetpost.co.nz sorts it out.
- The quantity or pack size isn’t what you expected. We can’t change what your vet has written, so this needs to go back to the clinic to be updated.
- The prescription has expired. Once it’s past its expiry date we can’t dispense from it, even if there are repeats left. You’ll need a new one from your vet.
- Your cart won’t let you add any more. This isn’t a fault. It means the quantity or repeats on your prescription have been used up.
- You’ve been given a medicine summary. Some clinics give you a printout listing your pet’s medicines. That’s a record for you to keep, not a prescription, so we can’t fill it. Ask your clinic for a written prescription instead.
If you’re ever unsure, just email us. We’ll check your account and let you know what’s going on.
Questions we get asked
Can Vetpost write the prescription for me?
No, we can’t. It has to come from a vet who has examined your pet, which means your own clinic. We can give you advice about products any time, that part we’re very happy to do.
How long is a prescription valid for?
Until the expiry date your vet has written on it. After that it can’t be dispensed, even if there are repeats left.
How much medication can I get on one prescription?
Up to six months’ worth of a veterinary medicine, three months’ worth of a human medicine, and one month if it’s a controlled drug. Horses, production animals, some antibiotics and controlled drugs have different limits. Your vet may prescribe less.
Can my vet email the prescription to you?
Yes, and it’s much the quickest way. They can send it straight to pharmacy@vetpost.co.nz. If they give you the original signed paper one instead, that has to be posted in to us.
Do I need an account before I send a prescription in?
It helps. If you set one up before your vet sends the script, we can load it straight on. If you don’t have one yet, we’ll create one using the email address on file with your vet, and let you know.
Can I order more than the prescription says?
No, we can only supply the quantity your vet has authorised. If you need more than that it has to go back to your clinic.
Can my vet refuse to write one?
If your vet would have sold you the medicine themselves, they’re expected to write you a script instead when you ask. They may charge a reasonable fee for it. The only reason they’d say no is if your pet isn’t under their care, or they’re not satisfied the medicine is still right. That usually means a check-up is due.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about how prescriptions work and is not veterinary advice for an individual animal. Prescribing decisions are always for the vet who has examined your pet. Rules and timeframes are correct at time of writing.
Dr Rebecca Walker, Veterinarian
