Pet medicine is an important industry in Australia, with veterinarians and pharmacists playing crucial roles in ensuring that animals receive the care they need. While veterinarians are responsible for diagnosing and treating animals, pharmacists are responsible for dispensing medications. In this article, we will explore the training that veterinarians and pharmacists undertake in Australia, the difference between their roles in relation to pet medicines, and how they both undertake an important but different function.
Veterinarians and pharmacists play important but different roles in relation to pet medicines in Australia. Veterinarians are responsible for diagnosing and treating animals while pharmacists are responsible for dispensing medications.
To become a veterinarian in Australia, one must complete a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree which takes 5 years. On the other hand, pharmacists must complete a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree which takes 4 years.
In terms of pet medicines, Schedule 4 medicines (prescription animal remedies) are available to purchase by animal owners on the written prescription of a veterinarian in Australia. All medicines supplied are registered by either the TGA or APVMA, which means they are approved for sale in Australia.
Veterinarians decide which medicines to prescribe based on their assessment of the animal’s condition and needs. Before prescribing, administering or supplying a Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 medicine, a veterinary practitioner must take all reasonable steps to establish the therapeutic need of an animal and should document the clinical justification of that need in the veterinary medical record.
Pharmacists receive prescriptions from veterinarians and dispense medications. They ensure that the medication is appropriate for the animal’s condition and that it is dispensed accurately.
Traditionally in Australia most veterinarians also undertook a dispensing role and, when it came to pet medicines, did all the tasks of a parmacist, as well as their own veterinary tasks. Now days this still happens, but there are also specialist pet pharmacists who dispense pet medicines. The advantage of this arrangement is that the vet can focus on doing those things only a vet can do, and the pharmacist can focus on safe and efficient dispensing of pet medicines. It often results in a cost saving to pet owners too, as pharmacists have the benefit of higher turnover of stock, and efficient dispensing systems.
In conclusion, veterinarians and pharmacists play vital roles in ensuring that pets receive the care they need. While veterinarians are responsible for diagnosing and treating animals, pharmacists are responsible for dispensing medications. By understanding the training that veterinarians and pharmacists undertake in Australia and the difference between their roles in relation to pet medicines, pet owners can make informed decisions about their pets’ health.
