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RCVS issues guidance after reclassification of drugs
Drugs
The RCVS has issued advice for practitioners about the use of ketamine and tramadol.

Regulatory changes mean new prescription requirements for tramadol  

The RCVS has issued advice for vets following the reclassification of ketamine and tramadol. 
 
Regulatory changes mean that tramadol is now classified as a controlled drug, and has been added to Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulation 2001. This change was made effective by the Home Office as of June 10, 2014.
 
Practitioners should be aware that as a Schedule 3 controlled drug, tramadol is now subject to special requirements when writing prescriptions:
 
  • Prescriptions for Schedule 3 controlled drugs are only valid for 28 days and are non-repeatable
  • It is an offence to supply a Schedule 3 controlled drug against a fax or email prescription; the original prescription must be obtained before the medicine is dispensed
  • If supplying a Schedule 3 controlled drug against another veterinary surgeon’s prescription, checks need to be made to ensure that the prescription has come from a UK address and that the signature is genuine
  • The date on which the drug was supplied must be marked on the prescription and the prescription retained on the practice premises for at least five years

The RCVS also advises that despite being exempt from Safe Custody Regulations, all Schedule 3 controlled drugs should be locked away. 

Ketamine has also been reclassified as a Class B controlled drug. It remains under Schedule 4 of the 2001 regulations, meaning that the legal requirements for supply, storage and record keeping should remain the same.
 
The RCVS therefore continues to advise that practice premises should:

  • Record the use of ketamine in an informal register
  • Store ketamine in a controlled drugs cabinet
  • Destroy ketamine in the presence of an authorised witness
 
For further information about the specific requirements for controlled drugs, see the Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s Guidance Note No 20 - Controlled Drugs.
 
Practice premises can also contact the RCVS professional conduct department for further guidance on 020 7202 0789 or by email.

 

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
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Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk