Introduction
Pharmacy is defined as the art of comparing, compounding and dispensing medicines.

Dispensing is the distribution of a drug from the pharmacy to a patient under the veterinary surgeon’s care.

A wrongly dispensed drug can be fatal and it is essential to take the utmost care when working in the dispensary. Remember that medicines may only be dispensed under the direct authorisation of a veterinary surgeon. Your instructions may be either written or verbal. In the case of the latter, it is wise to take a note of the details, especially if you are unfamiliar with the names and uses of certain drugs.

The following check list will be useful (points are covered in further detail later in this chapter):

1. Act only under the authorisation of a veterinary surgeon.
2. Adorn protective attire if necessary.
3. Choose a suitable container for the preparation.
4. Check expiry date.
5. Check drug name and strength.
6. Check dosage and/or owner instructions.
7. Label the preparation correctly.
8. Enter details into the controlled drugs register if dispensing Schedule II medicines.

Remember — INFORM THE VETERINARY SURGEON IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR HAVE ANY ALLERGIES TO CERTAIN DRUGS. ALWAYS ASK FOR CLARIFICATION IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT REGARDING DISPENSING OF MEDICINES.

Learning Objectives
The learning objectives of this chapter are:

1. To understand basic pharmaceutical terms and definitions.
2. To appreciate the importance of health & safety in the pharmacy.
3. To understand how drugs are legally categorised.
4. To correctly dispense controlled drugs.
5. To familiarise yourself with the drug preparations available and their routes of administration.
6. To efficiently store & control drug stocks.
7. To gain a basic understanding of vaccines (this subject is covered fully in the Medical Nursing Chapter of Book Two).
8. To gain a basic understanding of common drugs used in veterinary practice.
9. PRACTICAL TASK = SAFE DISPENSING.
10. PRACTICAL TASK = CALCULATING DRUG DOSES.