Restricted Veterinary Medicines (RVM) Process

This facility is primarily to help New Zealand veterinarians meet their legal obligations regarding prescriptions and authorisations for Restricted Veterinary Medicines (RVM).

Australian clients can use the RVM function to keep track of clients' repeat prescriptions.

This section describes how to use the RVM facility to provide authorised allocations of RVMs for clients whose animals have had these drugs prescribed.

Large Animal Application

When medication is dispensed as a result of a veterinary consultation, the product sale is recorded and linked to a veterinarian so there is usually no requirement for a physical RVM script to be created or for recording RVM authorisations in the computer system.

Following seasonal or annual consultations veterinarians may set up RVM authorisations for large animal clients. Having a RVM authorisation in place means that when a client comes in requesting RVM product, clinic staff can easily check whether a RVM authorisation is in place and if so, dispense the product.

Authorisations for RVMs should be entered into VisionVPM using the RVM button, on the Client Details window. The record should include:

• the date range within which the product must be dispensed and
• the maximum quantity the client is allowed to purchase during that period.

The legal requirement for linking a consultation to dispensing is achieved with a detailed clinical record and invoice. Some practices may prefer to record details on a specific authorisation form (not a script) which can be signed off by both the vet and the client.

Small Animal Application

When there is a veterinary consultation (which could be a phone call, a clinic visit or a home visit) and a drug is dispensed as a result, the product sale is recorded and linked to a clinical record and veterinarian, therefore, there is not usually a requirement for a physical prescription to be created. If however, the veterinarian authorises the repeated supply of a drug for an animal, the RVM authority can be useful. This means that if a client comes in requesting the repeat prescription for their animal, clinic staff are authorised to dispense it, simply by checking the RVM authorisation attached to that client.

For example: A dog owner comes in regularly for arthritis medication for their pet. If there is an authorisation in place, clinical staff can dispense further medication provided they are still within the limits (date and/or quantity) of the authorisation, without having to check with a veterinarian or rebook a consult.

If you have any questions regarding RVMs please contact the NZVA, Vet Council or ACVM.