Prescribing and Authorising Of Prescription Medicines and Prescription Animal Remedies for Veterinarians Working In the Poultry Industry

Background

These guidelines are designed for veterinarians working in the poultry industry and are intended to supplement the Code of Professional Conduct and the NZVA Code of Practice for Prescribing of Prescription Medicines and Prescription Animal Remedies by Veterinarians.

Guidelines

Intensive Livestock Companies Employing or Contracting a Veterinarian

For intensive livestock companies that employ or contract a veterinarian, all animals owned by the company shall be deemed to be under of the care of that veterinarian provided that:

1. The veterinarian has designated responsibility for the health of those animals
    
2. The veterinarian can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the farms involved, including management systems and systems for monitoring the ongoing health of the livestock.
    
3. The company has a documented Whole Flock Health Scheme (WFHS) as required by their Risk Management Programmes. The WFHS details how disease will be recognised and acted upon.

or

4. The company has a documented, audited quality system that includes details of the health and biosecurity programmes used and control of PARs.

For Authorisation or Prescribing Vaccines for Disease Prevention used according to Standard Industry Practice and the registered ACVM label

For routine prescribing of vaccines where standard practices and techniques are involved the prescribing veterinarian can demonstrate that the flocks are under his/her care by demonstrating all of the elements below.

1. Demonstrating knowledge of the farm; this can be achieved in a number of ways, an example could be an annual farm visit, with contact by telephone or email to verify the success of the programme when prescriptions are renewed.
2. Demonstrating detailed knowledge and experience of the species and industry involved.
3. Demonstrating knowledge of standard industry vaccine programmes and administration practises.
4. Demonstrating detailed knowledge of the health status across the whole industry by regular formalised contact with veterinarians involved in the industry.

For Prescribing PARs for therapeutic use, or in non-standard programmes, or in situations other than where directly contracted or employed.

The veterinarian can demonstrate that the animals are under his/her care by

1. A recent farm visit, or
2. Adequate diagnostic samples being taken to give the veterinarian confidence to make a diagnosis, or
3. Detailed investigation by phone/email contact to ensure that the veterinarian has sufficient confidence to make a diagnosis.

The choice of the type of investigation will depend on the veterinarian’s knowledge, experience and the complexity of the clinical condition. 

Emergency Care

Section 4.5 part 3(v) of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians 2005 states:

5. inherent in prescribing PAR veterinary medicines is the ability and commitment to provide adequate emergency care should that be necessary, given the circumstances of the case and potential for adverse effects from or failure of the prescribed PAR veterinary medicine(s). A veterinarian must either:
   1. provide the emergency care personally; or
   2. make arrangements for another veterinarian to provide the care.

In relation to veterinarians working in the poultry industry, the term ‘emergency’ means:

• An unexpected event that jeopardises the welfare of a poultry flock and is unlikely to resolve without intervention by the veterinarian. The prescribing veterinarian is expected to resolve the emergency either by providing appropriate advice or  service.

Documentation

Wherever prescription animal remedies are prescribed or authorised, suitable documentation is required and should be supplied to the producer outlining dosages, withholding periods, indications, period of use.

Policy Files: 

2i - Poultry Prescribing - 16May06.pdf