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Are Vets Required to Prescribe What They're Willing to Dispense? |
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Are Vets Required to Prescribe What They're Willing to Dispense? |
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| This
page includes information provided in response to an email sent to all
states and the District of Columbia veterinary and pharmacy boards asking:
"Are veterinarians required under state law or regulation to write prescriptions upon client request, assuming that a patient/client relationship exists and that the vet is already willing to dispense the medication in question from the clinic's own stock?" Click on the state name for more detailed information. If your state is in the no column, do check with your state veterinary and pharmacy boards and state veterinary association (see links below) for the current situation - things change rapidly. (4/12/07). |
Arizona
YES
California YES Colorado YES Florida YES Georgia YES Idaho YES Kentucky YES Louisiana YES Maine YES Maryland YES Massachusetts YES Michigan YES Missouri YES |
Nebraska
YES
Nevada YES New Hampshire YES New Jersey YES New Mexico YES New York YES North Carolina YES Oklahoma YES Rhode Island YES Vermont YES Virginia YES Wyoming YES |
Alabama
NO
Alaska NO Arkansas NO Connecticut NO Delaware NO District of Columbia Hawaii NO Illinois NO Indiana NO Iowa NO Kansas NO Minnesota NO Mississippi NO |
Montana
NO
North Dakota NO Ohio NO Oregon NO Pennsylvania NO South Carolina NO South Dakota NO Tennessee NO Texas NO Utah NO Washington NO Wisconsin NO West Virginia NO |
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| State | Law or Regulation |
| Alabama
|
To answer your question directly,
the answer is "No", they are not required by law to write prescriptions,
however, the following is a more concise statement in regard to your inquiry?
If you need any additional information please feel free to contact the
board office at 256-353-3544 or P. O. Box 1968, Decatur, AL 35602.
Website is www.asbvme.us.
"The Alabama Veterinary Practice Act and its Administrative Code do not specifically cover prescription writing by veterinarians. The absence of such a mandate, coupled with the fact that many veterinarians act as their own pharmacy is interpreted as the writing of prescriptions to be within the veterinarian's discretion in providing that service to their clients. If veterinarians write prescriptions for any animal, they must first insure that a current veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists, insure that all applicable blood tests are completed in accordance with the veterinarian 's protocol and insure that the administration of these drugs is not contraindicated by the presence of other medical conditions or substances being used for the patient. The Board is confident your veterinarian will discuss his or her policy regarding prescriptions. Any medication dispensed without proper authorization from a licensed Alabama veterinarian, would constitute a violation of the Alabama Veterinary Practice Act. If you have any questions regarding this correspondence, please contact the Board office." Theresa S. Chandler
It is my opinion that they are required to give the patient a prescription if asked to do so. Please contract the Board of Veterinary Medicine and ask for an opinion from them. Jerry Moore R.Ph., J.D.
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Alaska
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There is
no law regulating this. After speaking with the board members, they
all agreed that it is just general practice to give a patient a prescription
if they request it.
Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely,
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Arizona
 |
Arizona Revised
Statutes pertaining to the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board:
Article 7. Dispensing of drugs and devices 32-2281. Dispensing of drugs and devices; conditions; definition B. The board shall adopt rules providing
that the animal's owner or the person responsible for the animal shall
be notified that some prescription-only drugs may be available at a pharmacy
and a written prescription may be provided to the animal's owner or the
person responsible for the animal if requested.
According to A.A.C. R3-11-801(B) "A dispensing veterinarian may provide a written prescription to an animal owner if requested bythe animal owner." Statutorally, the word shall requires an action by law. Since the word may is used in this instance, it does not require a veterinarian to provide a presciption. That's rather a long was to say that the answer to your question is "No". Thank you for your interest. Sincerely,
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| Arkansas
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There is
no law or regulation in Arkansas requiring veterinarians to write prescriptions
upon client request.
Sherry Glover
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| California
|
Senate Bill
175, approved by the Governor on 9/1/2003 and effective 1/1/2004, amends
Section 4170 of the California Business and Professions Code to require
vets to prescribe rather than dispense. The relevant sections are
below:
4170. (a) No prescriber shall dispense drugs or dangerous devices to patients in his or her office or place of practice unless all of the following conditions are met: (6) The prescriber, prior to dispensing, offers to give a written prescription to the patient that the patient may elect to have filled by the prescriber or by any pharmacy. (7) The prescriber provides the patient with written disclosure that the patient has a choice between obtaining the prescription from the dispensing prescriber or obtaining the prescription at a pharmacy of the patient's choice. (b) The Medical Board of California, the State Board of Optometry, the Dental Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the Board of Registered Nursing, the Veterinary Medical Board, and the Physician Assistant Committee shall have authority with the California State Board of Pharmacy to ensure compliance with this section, and those boards are specifically charged with the enforcement of this chapter with respect to their respective licensees. (c) "Prescriber," as used in this section, means a person who holds a physician's and surgeon's certificate, a license to practice optometry, a license to practice dentistry, a license to practice veterinary medicine, or a certificate to practice podiatry, and who is duly registered by the Medical Board of California, the State Board of Optometry, the Dental Board of California, the Veterinary Medical Board, or the Board of Osteopathic Examiners of this state. |
| Colorado
|
If there is a valid veterinarian-client-patient
relationship and the vet has recommended treatment that includes that prescription,
the vet may not refuse to give the client the prescription order to take
to another pharmacy. It would most likely be deemed to be part of the animal's
medical record, and the client is entitled to copies of the records pursuant
to 12-64-120, C.R.S.
Sincerely,
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| Connecticut
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Connecticut statutes/regulations
do not require the writing of a prescription
upon a client request. Jeffrey A. Kardys
You need to contact the Department of Public Health for an answer to your question. Sincerely,
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| Delaware
|
There is
no statutory or regulatory provision requiring to vets to write a prescription.
Nor is there any definition of veterinarian-client relationship.
The only rule pertaining to prescriptions provides that it is unprofessional
conduct for a vet to prescribe medication without having examined the animal(s)
within a period of a year.
Susan Miccio, Administrative Specialist
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| District
of Columbia
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The District
of Columbia does not have a law that requires veterinarians to write a
prescription upon client request. A veterinarian must have an established
client/patient relationship in order to prescribe drugs. The Board may
elect to change the regulation in the future.
JoAnne Carey, DVM
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| Florida
|
It is my
understanding that they would be required to issued a prescription in this
situation, but an official answer would need to come from the Board of
Veterinary Medicine at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Sincerely, John D. Taylor, RPh
Ask our State of Florida ...Attny: Mr. Ed Bayo, esq I would say yes. However he is the final word and will give you the best and most qualified answer. Katherine Horky, DVM
A Florida veterinarian may be disciplined under Section 474.214(1)(pp), Florida Statutes, for "failing to give the owner of a patient, before dispensing any drug, a written prescription when requested" Ed Bayo, Office of the Attorney General,
State of Florida
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| Georgia
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The Georgia
State Board of Veterinary Medicine is in receipt of your inquiry regarding
veterinarians being required to write a presciption.
The Board wishes to refer you to Rule 700-8-.01(a) of the Official Rules of the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine, which states "After a valid veterinary/client/patient relationship has been established a veterinarian must make available at a reasonable cost, a written prescription if a prescription is required". This rule can be viewed on our website at www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/veterinary. If you have any questions or if our office can be of assistance to you in the future, please let me know. Susan S. Hewett
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| Hawaii
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The veterinary
regulations does not specifically address the prescribing or dispensing
of medication for an animal. The regulations basically provides for
the treatment of the animal by licensed veterinarians, which includes medical,
surgical and dental care.
The circumstance appears to be ethical in nature, of whether or not the prescribing and dispensing of medication by a veterinarian is part of a necessary treatment. Hawaii Board of Veterinary |
| Idaho
|
Section IIIC
of the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the American Veterinary
Medical Association - 1999 Revision, which is incorporated into the Idaho
Veterinary Practice Act by reference, states veterinarians should honor
a client's request for a prescription in lieu of dispensing, provided that
a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship has been established.
If you need any additional information, please let me know. Sincerely, Sheila Jensen
There is no legal mandatory requirement that a veterinarian must write a prescription for a client vs. dispensing the medication out of their own inventory. It is up to the veterinarian whether they want to write the prescription. If the client is wanting to use a mail-service or internet pharmacy there is usually heightened concern as to whether that pharmacy can legally fill the prescription. I am not sure what other reason they might have for wanting to dispense the medication out of their own stock but the Board of Pharmacy has no rules and regulations requiring that they write a prescription pursuant to a client's request. Sincerely, Jan Atkinson
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| Illinois
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Thank you
for your inquiry. The statute and rules do not address your question.
Therefore, the veterinarian is not required to write a prescription upon
client's request.
Sincerely,
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| Indiana
|
There is
nothing within the law that would require a veterinarian to write a prescription.
This is left up to the veterinarian's own professional judgement.
If you would like to review a current copy of the statute and rules, please go to the Bureau's website at www.IN.gov/hpb. If you have any other question, I would be happy to help you. Cindy Vaught
From what I can gather, Indiana law is silent on that issue. You may wish to contact Cindy Vaught of the Vet Board; perhaps her regulations have a specific entry about this. Mark Bina
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| Iowa
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Veterinarians
are not required to prescribe by Iowa laws or rules. If they do prescribe,
there must be a valid VCPR. They may charge a prescription fee, if
they choose. Hope this helps.
Dr. Schiltz
We cannot answer this question. Please contact the state veterinarian, John Schiltz, D.V.M., at 515/281-8615. Debbie Jorgenson
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| Kansas
|
I don't believe
vets are required by law to write a prescription, however, there is more
than one vet out there and if you feel that your pet's doctor is not acting
in the best interest of you or your pet, then you may want to find another
veterinarian. Be sure to let the veterinarian know why you are leaving
the practice, some are under the mistaken notion that if a drug is not
dispensed by them there is no patient./vet relationship. This is
incorrect, pharmacies fill prescriptions all the time for vet drugs.
Susan Linn
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| Kentucky
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A veterinarian is authorized under the statute to dispense, however, if the patient wants to obtain the prescribed medication from another source, the veterinarian can not require the patient/client to obtain the medication from him. The Kentucky Board of Pharmacy
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| Louisiana
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Louisiana incorporates the AVMA veterinary ethical principles in its veterinary law that requires a vet to prescribe rather than dispense if a client so requests. |
| Maine
|
If the veterinarian
is prescribing a medication for a patient, yes the doctor is required to
provide the patient, upon request, with a written prescription. You
are correct with the patient/client relationship and if the vet is already
willing to dispense from the clinic's stock. Let me know if you have
any further questions
Kelly L. McLaughlin, Board Clerk
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| Maryland
|
The simple
answer to your question is yes. It would be considered a violation
of COMAR 15.14.01.04 and possibly 15.14.01.05 depending on the circumstance
and issues and medications involved and may also be a violation of antitrust
laws. This is with the understanding that a patient/client relationship
exists and that the vet is already willing to dispense the medication in
question from the clinic's own stock.
If I can be of further help to clarify some of these issues please contact me through the Board office. Yours truly, Donald M. Carman, DVM
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| Massachusetts
|
A veterinarian
must write a prescription only if the prescription is to be filled at a
pharmacy licensed in Massachusetts, or if it is VIPPS (Verified Internet
Pharmacy Practice Sites) approved. Clicking on this web page http://www.nabp.net/index.html?target=/vipps/intro.asp&
will give you a list of these approved sites. If the pharmacy is not listed
on this site, then the veterinarian may refuse to write the prescription
and only dispense the medication from his own stock.
Please let me know if you have any further questions. Jodi Bornstein
Thank you, Charles R. Young, R.Ph, CFE
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| Michigan
|
I did get
a phone call and message on my voice mail today from Mr. Mike Wissel, from
State of Michigan, Health Regulatory. He said that it is considered
a violation of Code 333.16221/Professional Responsibility, for a vet to
refuse to issue a prescription or force a person to purchase a drug or
service from somewhere they have a financial interest. He also said
that if we have any other questions that he can answer, to call him at
517-335-1769.
Kelli Jo
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| Minnesota
|
At this time,
veterinarians in the state of Minnesota are not required to write a prescription
to a client even if a client/ patient relationship exists. However,
refusing to write the prescription may not help build strong client relationships.
If you have any additional questions, please contact me again.
John King DVM, Executive Director,
Board of Veterinary Medicine
There is no statutory or rule requirement mandating that a veterinarian must provide a written prescription on a client's request. The decision is left to the discretion of the veterinarian. Roland C. Olson, DVM, Executive Director,
Board of Veterinary Medicine.
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| Mississippi
|
No, not in
Mississippi.
Harvey F. McCrory, DVM
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| Missouri
|
Missouri
resident Mike Shilko writes that "I did some research when my vet refused
a prescription and, in the Pharmacy rules and regulations, it specifically
states that a vet must provide a prescription if the customer asks for
one." See Chapter 338, Pharmacists and Pharmacies, Section
338.015 (3):
Patient's freedom of choice to obtain prescription services, waiver --consultation and advice. 338.015. 1. The provisions of sections 338.010 to 338.015 shall not be construed to inhibit the patient's freedom of choice to obtain prescription services from any licensed pharmacist. However, nothing in sections 338.010 to 338.315 abrogates the patient's ability to waive freedom of choice under any contract with regard to payment or coverage of prescription expense. 2. All pharmacists may provide pharmaceutical consultation and advice to persons concerning the safe and therapeutic use of their prescription drugs. 3. All patients shall have the right to receive a written prescription from their prescriber to take to the facility of their choice. |
| Montana
|
No such state law or regulation.
Cheryl Brandt, Executive Director
Thanks for responding to this question, Cheryl. Rebecca (Becky) Deschamps, RPh
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| Nebraska
|
Nebraska
statutes and regulations do not directly address the issue of whether or
not a veterinarian is required to issue a prescription upon client request,
assuming that a veterinarian/client/patient relationship exists in accordance
with statutes and that the veterinarian was already willing to dispense
the medication from his own clinic stock. (Federal Trade Commission
laws/regulations do address fair trade practices). In addition, this
does not mean that failure to write a prescription in such a circumstance
would not be considered unprofessional conduct pursuant to Nebraska Revised
Statute 71-148 which states:
“Unprofessional conduct means any departure from or failure to conform to the standards of acceptable and prevaililng practice of a profession or occupation or the ethics of the profession or occupation, regardless of whether a person, patient, or entity is injured, or conduct that is likely to deceive or defraud the public or is detrimental to the public interest…” Nebraska Revised Statute 71-148 defines unprofessional conduct which is a ground to discipline a license pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute 71-147(10). Please reference the AVMA “Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics 1999 Revision” section III C 1 and the “Position Statement on Internet Phamacies” approved by the AVMA Executive Board April 2001. Such documents are considered to set the standard for acceptable and prevailing practice and ethics of the profession. The Nebraska Board of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery asked a Department of Health and Human Services attorney to address the Board on this issue in October, 2001. It was the Department attorney’s recommendation that veterinarians who are asked to provide a prescription to the client, assuming a vet/client/patient relationship exists, and the veterinarian was willing to dispense the medication, should provide the prescription to the client. Above was forward by
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| Nevada
|
Nevada pharmacy law and the AVMA
Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics indicate that a patient may request
a written prescription and have it filled at another location of the patient's
choosing as long as a veterinary-client-pateint-relationship has been established.
I hope this answers your question. Debbie Machen
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| New
Hampshire
|
Yes,
a veterinarian is required to write a prescription when a patient/client
relationship exists and the animal owner requests it. It is not specifically
written in the Vet. Rules, but, according to the Pharmacy Board, it is
under medical-patient's rights. A minimal fee may be charged for
the writing of the prescription.
Sincerely, Patricia Duncklee,
Administrative Secretary
Sincerely,
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| New
Jersey
|
From the
New Jersey State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners web site:
"A veterinarian must, upon request,
provide a written prescription to a consumer who does not wish to purchase
a prescription item directly from that veterinarian."
.J.A.C. 13:44-4.1 requires a licensee
to label any dispensed medication
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| New
Mexico
|
"Veterinarians
shall honor client requests to dispense and/or provide a written prescription
for a drug that has been determined by the veterinarian to be appropriate
for the patient."
Rules and Regulations
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| New York
|
Education Law section 6807 limits the quantity of a drug that may be supplied for a fee by prescribers to no more than a 72-hour supply. You may view this law in its entirety at our website: http://www.op.nysed.gov click on Title VIII then click on Article 137. We hope this is helpful. If questions remain, please contact us at the number listed below. NYS Board of Pharmacy
All professionals licensed by this Department must release records to a client or patient upon request. This would include prescriptions. While most veterinarians typically dispense the necessary medications, a client may certainly request a prescription for the purpose of having it filled elsewhere. Please let me know if you have additional questions. Peter Ferguson
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| North
Carolina
|
According
to the Attorney General's legal opinion they are required to provide you
with a prescription assuming that a patient/client relationship exists
and that the vet is already willing to dispense the medication in question
from the clinic's own stock?
Information from Stacy Mickey of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board as told to Bill V. Beck in a 9/26/02 phone call. Posted on Veterinary Board Web Site: "In March 1996, N.C. Assistant Attorney General Kip Sturgis contacted the Board by letter as a result of complaints received by the Attorney Generals office concerning veterinarians and prescriptions. In that letter Mr. Sturgis summarized his office concerns as followed, the first on medically unjustified restraint of competition in the market for veterinary medicine. The second is directed to the ethics of these anticompetitive practices that not only place the veterinarians commercial interest in direct conflict with the animals owner, but may also undermine the veterinarians professional purpose to promote animal health by foreseeably leading some owners to delay or forego veterinary treatment of their animals. The third, reflected by complaints both agencies have received, focuses on the damage these practices have on the publics perception of veterinarians professionalism. If a veterinarian is willing to dispense medication, then they (veterinarians) must also provide a prescription, in place of medication, should the owner seek a prescription. Should the veterinarian upon medical opinion not provide medication, than it would also be appropriate to deny a request for a prescription." |
| North
Dakota
|
I am not
aware of any North Dakota law or regulation requiring veterinarians to
issue prescriptions. This is standard practice, however, and is recommended
by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
I hope this information is helpful. John R. Boyce, DVM, PhD
I do not know. We have freedom of choice for human patients but I have never been asked about Veterinarians. Perhaps the Veterinary laws or rules would answer this question. We would consider it a conflict of interest and unprofessional for a Medical pracdtioner to refuse to write a prescription instead of dispensing the drug themselves. I would suggest that a patient being so treated should find a different veterinarian. On the other hand, if the request does not come from the patient, you would need to be sure the patient wanted it that way. Howard Anderson
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| Ohio
|
I would concur
with Mr. Winsley. There is no requirement that a veterinarian write
a prescription. It is encouraged that if there is a valid VCPR, that
the veterinarian would write the prescription to the client but it is not
mandated.
Heather Hissom
No. There is no statute that requires a veterinarian to issue a prescription. Donna Fickel
There is no federal or Ohio law or rule that I know of that mandates that a veterinarian (or any other prescriber, for that matter) issue a written prescription. However, I am not as familiar with the laws, rules, and opinions of the Veterinary Medical Licensing Board as I am with our own laws and rules, For that reason, I'm forwarding a copy of this correspondence to them. They may wish to correspond with you directly. Bill Winsley
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| Oklahoma
|
A veterinarian
is considered a practitioner of the healing arts. If a client request a
prescription and it is for a legitimate reason and you have a VCPR established,
then you are required to honor their request.
Respectfully, Cathy Kirkpatrick
There is no specific requirement in the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act that requires a veterinarian to provide a prescription upon request of a client. A veterinarian may refuse to write a prescription for a client with whom a VCPR exists. (No prescription is ever authorized in the absence of a valid VCPR). If the request is legitimate and you have an established client-patient relationship, you may want to consider the consequences that a refusal to provide a prescription may have on future relationships with the client. Additionally, there is nothing in the Practice Act that prohibits a veterinarian from charging a fee for providing a written prescription to a client. What is “fair and reasonable” with regard to a prescription writing fee, would be based on the facts of a particular situation. Excerpted from the "A Message From
The Director" Column, April 2002 Newsletter
Under Title 59, Chapter 8 of the Oklahoma Statutes 354. Prescription as property right of patient, C. No legally competent practitioner of the healing arts shall refuse to honor the request of his patient to have his prescriptions transferred to the pharmacy of the patients choice. Bryan Potter
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| Oregon
|
No, the Practice
Act does not compel veterinarians to provide treatment or prescriptions
on client demand. In the context of a patient-client relationship,
the veterinarian may offer a generic prescription, i.e., one that you may
take to a pharmacy to fill; but the veterinarian is not required to write
the prescription for a specific pharmacy.
Hope this helps. Lori Makinen
We have no jurisdiction over Vets writing RX's. This would be a question for the Veterinary Board. Pharmacies can fill RX's written by Vets. Oregon Pharmacy Board
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| Pennsylvania
|
The Veterinary
regulations only state the following concerning prescriptions:
Principle 7 (c) - "In the choice of drugs, biologics or other treatments, veterinarians should use their professional judgment in the interests of the animal, based upon their knowledge of the condition, the probable effects of the treatment and the available scientific evidence which may affect these decisions." Other than that, there is nothing in the regulations that addresses vets writing prescriptions. Hope that helps! Michelle Bobar
Melanie Zimmerman
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| Rhode
Island
|
In Rhode
Island, if a patient requests a prescription to be filled at an outside
pharmacy or any other authorized dispenser, a veterinarian must comply
with that request. It is the patient's right to obtain the prescription
from any source they wish.
Gail Giuliano
There is no requirement that veterinarians in RI write prescriptions. In the past, the Board has taken the position that vets who do not write prescriptions should inform their clients in advance of providing services that the vet office dispenses drugs from the office, but does not write any prescriptions. If the vet does write prescriptions, the vet is required to deliver same to the client upon request. Maureen A. Hobson
Catherine A. Cordy
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| South
Carolina
|
No, veterinarians
are not required to write a prescription. It is at the discretion
of the vet.
Alana Holmes
Our Practice Act does not specifically address your question. You may want to contact the SC Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners at 803-896-4598 for their reccomendations on this issue. Karen C. McKinnon, RPh
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| South
Dakota
|
David: there are no laws or regulations
in South Dakota for such
requirement. SD Holland
Dennis M. Jones
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| Tennessee
|
There is
no requirement for veterinarians to provide prescriptions upon client request.
Lisa Lampley
Kendall Lynch, Director
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| Texas
|
The state
of Texas does not have any laws or regulations that require a veterinarian
to provide a prescription upon the request of a client. It is up
to the veterinarian whether he/she will provide that prescription upon
request or need.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. Dennis L. Barker Jr.
Steve Morse, R.Ph.
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| Utah
|
The
State of Utah does not regulate this or enforce this
Daniel T. Jones
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| Vermont
|
Veterinary
Board Rule 3.9 WRITING PRESCRIPTIONS
A veterinarian licensed and practicing in Vermont is not required to write a prescription at a client's request. A veterinarian licensed and practicing in Vermont is required to provide a requesting client with copies of documents prepared for and purchased by the client in connection with veterinary services. Example: A veterinarian examines a patient, writes a prescription in connection with the examination, and then, for some reason, decides not to give the prescription to the client after the client has paid for the examination and asked for the prescription. In such a case, the veterinarian must provide the client with a copy of the prescription. Veterinary prescription drugs may be dispensed only by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian in the presence of a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, as provided in Rule 3.6 above. Effective: June 15, 1999
"If a veterinarian has a valid VC-P-R [veterinary client-patient-relationship] and has prescribed drugs, he or she must give the client a prescription if requested to do so." Attorney Chris Winters, Counsel for
the Board of Pharmacy
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| Virginia
|
If a Virginia
licensed veterinarian refuses to provide the client with a valid prescription
upon request and he would dispense the same medication from his practice
for the patient, it may be construed as unprofessional conduct, and the
Board can take disciplinary action. Complaints can be filed with the Board
through the Virginia Department of Health Professions' Complaint Intake
Unit (1-800-533-1560 or via the agency's website http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/vet/
by selecting "File a Complaint.")
If you have further questions, please contact me or the Board office. Cordially,
Your question relates to the practice of veterinary medicine, so I am forwarding your question to that board for a response. If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me. Ralph A. Orr, Deputy Executive Director
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| Washington
|
There is
no veterinary law that says they have to. I will forward your message
to the pharmacy board and see if they have any laws or rules regarding
your question.
Karen Kelley
The law would vary depending upon the state. Washington State does not require a veterinarian to write a prescription even if the client requests it. On the other hand, Optometrists in our state are required to provide their patients with a copy of their glasses or contact lens prescription. I hope that this is helpful. Donald H. Williams, RPh, FASHP
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| West
Virginia
|
Thank you
for your e-mail. I noticed in West Virginia that you did not have
the answer to the question. I never received the inquiry, so I will answer
here. There is no reference in West Virginia veterinary law requiring veterinarians
to prescribe rather than dispense. In the code of state regulations §26-4-3.5
are the pharmacological service regulations for veterinary medicine. It
references dispensing and prescribing by veterinarians. However, the Board
strongly recommends to veterinarians that they grant a script to a client
if requested, as long as there is a valid VCPR.
Wanda Goodwin
The pharmacy practice act does not address whether prescriptions must be written upon patient request, it only states that vets can supply their own patients with medications. You need to check with the Board of Veterinary Medicine to see if they address the writing of prescriptions in their law. William T. Douglass, Jr.
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| Wisconsin
|
There
is nothing in the statutes or administrative code that requires a veterinarian
to write a prescription rather than to dispense the medication directly.
Some vets will write a prescription, but charge the client for doing so.
Wayne Austin
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| Wyoming
|
Chapter 4
of the Wyoming Board of Veterinary Medicine's rules state in Section 1.(b)
The Board adopts, incorporates and enforces as standards for professional
conduct, the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics, published by the
American Veterinary Medical Association Judicial Council. The Principles
of Vet Medical Ethics section 111c.1. Veterinarians should honor a client's
request for a prescription in lieu of dispensing. Dispensing or prescribing
a prescription product requires a valid Veterinarian Client Patient Relationship.
Jim Logan, DVM
|
 This
page is a product of me, David
Jacobson. State law and regulation are constantly changing -
contact your state veterinary and pharmacy boards for up-to-date information.
If that information is counter to what's listed above, please email me
with your findings. |