There should be no promotion, whether direct or otherwise, of the POM or of the service as a means to obtain the POM. (See below for RCVS interpretations) 4.5 POM-VPS medicines may be prescribed in circumstances where a veterinary surgeon has carried out a clinical assessment and has the animals under his or her care. 4.47  Veterinary surgeons should continue to ensure the adequacy of the control measures put in place. ', Health and Safety Executive web page on 'Dangerous occurrences', Health and Safety Executive web page on 'Safe handling of cytotoxic drugs in the workplace', Reports can be submitted online to the VMD, We aim to enhance society through improved animal health and welfare. 4.39  Cytotoxic drugs are used in therapies such as cancer treatment. If it is stipulated that a medicine be used within a specific time period, it must be labelled with the opening date, once broached. Veterinary surgeons must be seen to ensure that when using antimicrobials they do so responsibly, and be accountable for the choices made in such use. The Medicines Act of 1968 splits medicines into three categories: GSL (General Sales List) these medicines are readily available in a wide variety of retail outlets from supermarkets to corner shops. For example, “a consultation for excessive sweating”. 4.4  POM-V medicines must be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon, who must first carry out a clinical assessment of the animal under his or her care. 4.28  Practice premises from which veterinary surgeons supply veterinary medicinal products (except AVM-GSL medicines) must be registered with the RCVS as ‘veterinary practice premises’, in accordance with the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (Paragraph 8 of Schedule 3). It does not constitute legal advice. 4.48  Veterinary surgeons should be aware of the need to report certain incidents and dangerous occurrences to the relevant enforcing authority. Marketers should not include information in their ads that POMs can be used to treat areas other than those areas for which the product is licensed (Dermaskin Clinics, 15 January 2014). Such websites may provide information about a POM in the context of the product being a possible treatment option following a consultation. While only suitably qualified health professionals should administer POMs, using health professionals to endorse the product breaches rule 12.18 of the CAP Code (“Marketers must not use health professionals or celebrities to endorse a POM”). the veterinary surgeon must have been given the responsibility for the health of the animal or herd by the owner or the owner's agent, that responsibility must be real and not nominal. A marketer may include a price list with a range of treatments available but the price list should not include product claims or actively encourage viewers to choose a product based on the price. Veterinary surgeons should think about ways in which work can be organised to reduce the risks, for example, having a designated area for preparation, and restricting access to authorised staff. Further information is available from the VMD’s Pharmacovigilance Unit on 01932 338427. It is important to keep suitable records in this regard. In such cases clients should be made aware of the intended use of unauthorised medicines and given a clear indication of potential side effects. In conducting this risk assessment, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advise generally that the employer should: 4.43  The HSE advise that employers must appoint a ‘competent person’ to help them meet their health and safety duties (see Health and Safety Executive web page on 'What is competence?'.) the animal or herd must have been seen immediately before prescription or, recently enough or often enough for the veterinary surgeon to have personal knowledge of the condition of the animal or current health status of the herd or flock to make a diagnosis and prescribe, the veterinary surgeon must maintain clinical records of that herd/flock/individual. See Health and Safety Executive web page on 'Dangerous occurrences', 4.49  Further detailed information on the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs can be found on the HSE website, including links to additional sources of information - Health and Safety Executive web page on 'Safe handling of cytotoxic drugs in the workplace'. See the list of Specials Manufacturers held by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). Medicine Administration for Midwives For Use in: Maternity Services By: Midwives For: Checking and administration of medicines Division responsible for document: Women and Children’s Services Key words: administration, medicines, midwives exemptions, Patient Group Directives, Safety equipment should be subject to routine maintenance according to HSE guidelines. 4.9  The Veterinary Medicines Regulations do not define the phrase 'under his care' and the RCVS has interpreted it as meaning that: 4.10  What amounts to 'recent enough' must be a matter for the professional judgement of the veterinary surgeon in the individual case. A treatment that must be prescribed by a doctor and is not licensed for sale to the general public. For advice on client confidentiality on a case by case basis please contact the RCVS Professional Conduct Department on 020 7202 0789. 4.40  Therapies involving cytotoxic drugs are high-risk areas of veterinary practice and it is important for veterinary surgeons to comply fully and properly with the associated health and safety legislation. If a veterinary surgeon is not able to adequately manage these risks and comply with the health and safety legislation, bearing in mind the work involved, they should consider purchasing drugs prepared commercially or by another veterinary practice or pharmacy.