Prescription law change requires ID number
Until now, practitioners have not been required to include a unique identification code when prescribing Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs.
Veterinary practitioners prescribing Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs will soon be required to include their RCVS registration number on the prescription.
The amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, which comes into force on 1 July 2015, is set to bring the veterinary sector in line with the private human healthcare sector.
A government circular states that the change will improve the ability to collate data on individual prescribing activity for the veterinary sector for monitoring when required.
Since 2007, human healthcare professionals have been required to include their unique identification number on prescriptions.
The change was brought about by the Shipman Inquiry, a report produced by a British government investigation into the activities of general practitioner and serial killer Harold Shipman.
Veterinary prescriptions are private and, until now, practitioners have not been required to include a unique identification code when prescribing Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs.
The full circular of changes to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 can be found at www.gov.uk
RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence. 
