Doctor prescribing for animal via private script for animal's owner

[GAZ]

A Doctor dropped in a Private Script for a patient and happens to mention that the script is "for a dog" . When this Doctor comes back later I ask for the patient's date of birth (which isn't on the prescription details) & the Doctor (whom I gather is the prescriber) gives a date of birth indicating the patient is about 50 & (once again!) happens to mention the script is for a dog! As it so happens we didn't have sufficient stock to fill the script & he was ok about collecting it next week. So I just left a note for the regular pharmacist about the "information" we had gathered.

Would there be a problem dispensing this script? I suspect the answer would be no - the prescriber would just claim there was confusion/misunderstanding on his/our part!?

What about the Doctor abusing his position?

[crit care]

what was it that he had prescribed....drs venturing into veterinary science...?

i know when vets prescribe they need the owners details then somewhere it needs to state that is for an animal under their (the prescribers) care

[GAZ]

It was for a couple of hundred antibiotics, ear drops & a small amount of diazepam - I suspect that the person named on the private script is the dog's owner & had previously had the script via the vet's & been charged what they consider to be a huge amount of money & then the helpful Doctor probably stepped in & offered to put the items on a private script for the owner & save him a bit of dosh??

[crit care]

sounds a bit dodgy! why would one animal need a couple hundred antibiotics??

i'd bounce it back to the vets, and let the customer sort it all out, if they dind't want to cash out for their animal, they can't go running round looking for cheaper alternatives

[Pharmanaut]

A Doctor dropped in a Private Script for a patient and happens to mention that the script is "for a dog" . When this Doctor comes back later I ask for the patient's date of birth (which isn't on the prescription details) & the Doctor (whom I gather is the prescriber) gives a date of birth indicating the patient is about 50 & (once again!) happens to mention the script is for a dog! As it so happens we didn't have sufficient stock to fill the script & he was ok about collecting it next week. So I just left a note for the regular pharmacist about the "information" we had gathered.

Would there be a problem dispensing this script? I suspect the answer would be no - the prescriber would just claim there was confusion/misunderstanding on his/our part!?

What about the Doctor abusing his position?

Watch out - The doctor could get struck off and so could you.
If in your knowledge the script is for an animal you are being swept into this.

[johnep]

That is always a problem when a Dr does something he/she shouldn't. They get a slap on the wrist, the pharmacist gets struck off. Next time will probably be on NHS script with an exemption so will cost nothing.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

That is always a problem when a Dr does something he/she shouldn't. They get a slap on the wrist, the pharmacist gets struck off. Next time will probably be on NHS script with an exemption so will cost nothing.
johnep

...and we will just continue to look like 'jobsworths' because we are bound to follow the rules or the stick comes out.

[drh785]

I would be extremely careful here and if necessary phone the NPA or the Law Department of the Society.

[johnep]

As only verbal, Dr's word against a pharmacist. Who most likely to be believed, especially if pet owner says script was for him?
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

As only verbal, Dr's word against a pharmacist. Who most likely to be believed, especially if pet owner says script was for him?
johnep

Damned if we do - damned if we don't
As we are looking at the case from the outside it has to be the RP decision.
Difficult though it is.

Perhaps call the doctor and just say you are concerned that you thought you heard that the prescription was for an animal and surely the patient is mistaken?

Wonder what the BMA or GMC would do if a Vet started to write prescriptions for animals but its really for a human!