Vet Register

The Newsletter of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland

From the November 2000 edition...

Wildlife rescue and release permit
Not an authority to possess restricted drugs

Queensland Health is concerned that persons operating in the capacity of wildlife carers and holding Wildlife Rescue and Release Permits issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, are accessing and using S4 restricted drugs for the treatment of injured, sick and rehabilitating animals without authority.

There is a perception by some carers that possession of a permit provides the legal basis for obtaining, possessing and using restricted drugs as part of the care and treatment they provide for animals.  Information to hand is that in some instances unauthorised wildlife carers are obtaining the restricted drugs from local veterinary surgeons.

It is an offence (Poisons Regulation) for a person other than a veterinary surgeon or, a person lawfully supplied with restricted drugs for the treatment of an animal under the direct care of a veterinary surgeon, to obtain, possess or use restricted drugs for the treatment of animals.  Further, the sale or supply of restricted drugs by a veterinary surgeon to an unauthorised person also constitutes an offence.

The granting of extended written authority to a person who is not a veterinary surgeon for the use of restricted drugs for the treatment of animals is based on stringent criteria, namely:

The Board shares Queensland Health’s concerns for the unauthorised use of veterinary medicines and the practice of veterinary medicine by unqualified persons.

Veterinarians should be aware of their legal obligations in relation to the supply of restricted drugs to wildlife carers and others.  It is recommended that veterinarians sight the carer’s authority before providing drugs.  This safeguard should also be employed for other persons who claim to have Qld Health authorisation to possess restricted drugs (such as local government and welfare group employees).