Lee G Cook
A recent incident occurred where an unknown person rang a number of local practices and said they were a new vet at a well known practice, and could the other practice provide him with an emergency supply of ketamine? As they were somewhat suspicious none of the other practices did so.
But the question has been asked, “Could we have done so?”
The answer to that is technically “no”. Supply of S8’s and S4’s other than to users is regulated by the Pharmaceutical Services Branch of NSW Health at Gladesville. They consider any supply between vets to be “wholesaling”, for which an authority is required. They are aware, however, that emergencies can occur and would not consider such supply an offence provided a clear and accurate audit trail was in place. Thus in the above situation you could consider supplying but only to someone you knew to be another registered veterinary practitioner.
It is, however, legal to supply S8’s to clients in the same way as you may supply S4’s. Again, you would not normally do so, especially with large bottles of ketamine, butorphanol or pethidine, unless you were very sure of your client’s reliability. On the other hand, no one may dispense anabolic steroids due to controls imposed by the DPI under a Director-General’s Order (see the DPI web site at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/farm/chemicals/general/controls-over-steroid-supply-and-use.
Just to refresh everyone’s memories, all S8’s must be kept locked up when not in use, and the keys held by a veterinarian. Every purchase, use or disposal must be documented in a register. You cannot dispose of S8’s yourself. As previously advised pharmacists are now authorised to carry out disposal of unwanted S8’s for doctors, vets etc. in addition to the old methods of disposal by police officers or inspectors from NSW Health.
I have revised my document giving information in relation to treatment of coccidiosis in lambs (or kids). As it is now some three pages long it is rather too large for inclusion in Boardtalk, but please send me an e-mail if you want a copy and I will be happy to send an electronic version back.
Finally a note for large animal practitioners that Allied Biotechnology Pty Ltd of Kings Park holds permits to allow them to manufacture a wide range of killed autogenous vaccines, including Pasteurella vaccines for cattle, pigs, poultry and rabbits. These permits allow use of unregistered vaccines which may not otherwise be used to treat major food producing species such as cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and goats.
Item submitted by:
Lee G Cook
Veterinary Officer
Biological and Chemical Risk Management
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)
Locked Bag 21 / 161 Kite Street ORANGE NSW 2800
Phone: 02 6391 3722 Fax: 02 6391 3740
e-mail: lee.cook@dpi.nsw.gov.au
