{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/veterinary-medicines-regulations-2013/schedule-3/paragraph-6",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/veterinary-medicines-regulations-2013/schedule-3/paragraph-6.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/2013/2033",
  "legislation_title": "The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/veterinary-medicines-regulations-2013",
  "path": "schedule/3/paragraph/6",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "6",
  "heading": "Written prescriptions",
  "text": "(1) A written prescription must include—\n(a) the full name, address and contact details of the person prescribing the product, including that person’s professional registration number (if available);\n(b) the full name, address and contact details of the animal owner or keeper;\n(c) the identification (including the species) of the animal or group of animals to be treated;\n(d) the premises at which the animals are kept if this is different from the address of the owner or keeper;\n(e) the issue date;\n(f) the signature or electronic signature of the prescriber;\n(g) the name and amount of the product prescribed;\n(h) the pharmaceutical form and strength of the product;\n(i) as regards veterinary medicinal products that are antibiotics which are prescribed for prophylactic purposes or metaphylactic purposes (as the case may be), a statement to that effect;\n(j) the dosage regimen;\n(k) any warnings necessary to ensure the proper use, including, where relevant, to ensure prudent use of antimicrobials;\n(l) the words “It is an offence under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 for a person to alter a written prescription unless authorised to do so by the person who signed it”;\n(m) for food-producing animal species, the withdrawal period or a statement that the withdrawal period is equal to zero days; and\n(n) if the prescription relates to a product prescribed under the cascade, a statement to that effect.\n(1A) Subject to the professional obligations of a veterinary surgeon to ensure the health and welfare of animals under their care, a veterinary surgeon may only prescribe a veterinary medicinal product that is an antibiotic where satisfied that the circumstances set out in sub-paragraph (1B) apply.\n(1B) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1A) the circumstances are that the product is not—\n(a) used routinely;\n(b) used to compensate for poor hygiene, inadequate animal husbandry, or poor farm management practices; or\n(c) used to promote growth or increase yield.\n(2) A written prescription for a controlled drug as specified in Schedules 2 to 4 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 is valid for 28 days.\n(3) A written prescription for any other drug is valid for six months or such shorter period as may be specified in the prescription.\n(4) If the prescription is repeatable it must specify the number of times the veterinary medicinal product may be supplied.",
  "extent": "E+W+S",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 6(1)-(1B) substituted for Sch. 3 para. 6(1) (E.W.S.) (17.5.2024) by The Veterinary Medicines (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/567), regs. 1(1), 101 (with reg. 204)"
    },
    {
      "type": "E",
      "label": "E1",
      "text": "This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only"
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f1",
      "text": "S. I. 2001/3998; relevant amending instruments are S. I. 2003/1432 and 2005/1653."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/2033/schedule/3/paragraph/6",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T00:44:44.019972+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}