State of Washington 61st Legislature 2009 Regular Session

By

O'Brien, Goodman, Morris, Ormsby, Blake, VanDeWege, Moeller, Cody,

Conway, Hurst, Walsh, McCune, and Hinkle

1 AN ACT Relating to dispensing and administration of drugs by

2 registered or licensed veterinary personnel; and amending RCW

3 18.92.013.

4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

5

6 as follows:

7 (1) A veterinarian legally prescribing drugs may delegate to a

8 registered veterinary medication clerk ((or a licensed veterinary

9 technician)), while under the veterinarian's direct supervision,

10 certain nondiscretionary functions defined by the board and used in the

11 dispensing of legend and nonlegend drugs (except controlled substances

12 as defined in or under chapter 69.50 RCW) associated with the practice

13 of veterinary medicine. A veterinarian legally prescribing drugs may

14 delegate to a licensed veterinary technician, while under the

15 veterinarian's indirect supervision, certain nondiscretionary functions

16 defined by the board and used in the dispensing of legend drugs,

17 nonlegend drugs, and controlled substances associated with the practice

18 of veterinary medicine. Upon final approval of the packaged

19 prescription following a direct physical inspection of the packaged

p. 1 HB 1271

1 prescription for proper formulation, packaging, and labeling by the

2 veterinarian, the veterinarian may delegate the delivery of the

3 prescription to a registered veterinary medication clerk or licensed

4 veterinary technician, while under the veterinarian's indirect

5 supervision. Dispensing of drugs by veterinarians, licensed veterinary

6 technicians, and registered veterinary medication clerks shall meet the

7 applicable requirements of chapters 18.64, 69.40, 69.41, and 69.50 RCW

8 and is subject to inspection by the board of pharmacy investigators.

9 (2) A licensed veterinary technician may administer legend drugs

10 under chapter 69.41 RCW and controlled substances under chapter 69.50

11 RCW under indirect supervision of a veterinarian.

12 (3) For the purposes of this section:

13 (a) "Direct supervision" means the veterinarian is on the premises

14 and is quickly and easily available; and

15 (b) "Indirect supervision" means the veterinarian is not on the

16 premises but has given written or oral instructions for the delegated

17 task.