Reminder: Requirements around supplying RVMs on the authorisation of another veterinarian 

24 April 2026

 The Vet Council has received several enquiries about supplying restricted veterinary medicines (RVMs) on the authorisation of another veterinarian. 

 To clarify, the profession that veterinarians cannot supply RVMs to another veterinarian’s client on their prescription, unless they are an MPI Approved Seller and have an approved Operating Plan for Restricted Veterinary Medicines Sellers.

 The only exception to this is in an emergency one-off situation, which is outlined below, and in the Code of Professional Conduct (Section 6.11 Providing a dispensing service and Understanding Section 6.11).

 “Veterinarians who are not approved RVM sellers may fill a one-off urgent authorisation. Two occasions are when a client has gone on holiday and forgotten to take their animal’s treatment, or when another practice has run out of a medicine over a weekend or holiday period.”

 In a non-emergency situation, and without becoming an MPI Approved Seller, veterinarians cannot supply RVMs to another veterinarian’s client on their prescription. Pharmacies (online or in-store) which fill prescriptions for veterinarians are MPI Approved Sellers.