Frequently Asked Questions

What is an "S4D" Medication?

"S4D" means "Schedule 4, Appendix D" of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008. These medicines have greater restrictions imposed on them than regular Prescription medicines. We are not permitted to dispense from a copy of an S4D prescription until the hard copy has been provided to us. These prescriptions also have an expiry date of 6 months rather than the usual 12 months. Click Here to see the NSW Health page on these medicines.

Can I purchase a prescription medicine without a prescription?

No. We need authorisation from your veterinarian in the form of a written document which shows us that they are happy for us to supply the medicine to your pet. The prescription indicates the dose, dosage frequency and duration that your pet requires the medicine.

My pet is on lifelong medication. Can I get a lifelong prescription?

Prescriptions in Australia last for a maximum of 12 months from the day of writing. Your Vet can write a prescription with enough medication to last that length of time, or less. prescritpions are only valid for the amount of medication on the script. For Example, If your prescription has 100 tablets, with 1 repeat, then you can get up to 200 tablets within 12 months. If the script passes 12 months and you have not used all of the medication, the remainder will expire.

Do you ship internationally?

Due to strict Customs regulations, we are unable to ship internationally.

Do you offer local pickup?

For Sydney customers, yes we do! Our address is Shop 2, 3 Julius Avenue, North Ryde NSW 2113. With Express Post we can provide overnight delivery to Australian capital cities. If you have not received an "awaiting collection" email from us, please phone in advance before coming to the store to ensure that we have your order in stock.

My pet no longer requires the medication I ordered from your site. May I refund the unused medicine?

Legally we cannot resell medications after they have left our premises. As such, we can not offer refunds for unused medicines. Please take this into consideration when deciding on the quantity of medication to order.

My vet is refusing to write a prescription. What can I do?

Veterinarians are within their own rights to refuse to supply a prescription for any reason. If your vet is unwilling to write a prescription, your only option is to find another Vet who would be happy to write prescriptions. Your pet will require a consultation with the new veterinarian before they could write a prescription.

My pharmacist can accept an electronic prescription. Why can’t you?

Unfortunately Pet pharmacies were not included in the legal exemption that allows human pharmacies to dispense from electronic prescriptions. There are pieces of software being developed to allow this, however none are ready for market at this time.

Why isn’t there more information provided about the prescription medicines on your site?

There is strict legislation regulating the advertisement of prescription medicines. Providing photographs of product packaging or providing indications for medicine usage would be classified as advertising and therefore breaking the law.

At present, the "pricelist" format is the best we can do to give customers an idea of our inventory and competitive prices.br

If you would like more information about a medicine than what is presented on our website, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Are the packing peanuts you use good for the environment?

Yes! We use a 100% Biodegradable packing peanut made from a combination of plant based materials such as corn starch. These provide great protection to your important medications while also looking out for the environment. If you want to learn more please let us know!

Do you need a prescription for pet meds in Australia?

Yes. Any medication classified as Schedule 4 (S4) or prescription-only in Australia legally requires a written prescription from a veterinarian. This ensures your pet receives the correct medication, dose and treatment duration. Over-the-counter items such as supplements or parasite preventatives do not require a prescription.

Can I take a pet prescription to a pharmacy?

Most human pharmacies are not licensed or equipped to dispense veterinary S4 medicines. These medications require specific approvals, labelling and handling procedures that many human pharmacies do not offer. A dedicated veterinary pharmacy, such as The Animal Pharmacy, is generally the best place to have your pet’s prescription filled.

How do I send my prescription to The Animal Pharmacy?

You can upload a clear photo during checkout, email it to us, or mail/deliver the hard copy, depending on whether the medication is S4 or S4D. Please note: S4D prescriptions must be received in hard copy before we can dispense.

Can The Animal Pharmacy contact my vet for the prescription?

Yes. If your vet permits, we can request the prescription directly from them on your behalf. Simply include your clinic’s details at checkout or get in touch with our team. Some vets may still require you to collect the prescription in person.