Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Georgia Statutes Relating to Prescription Drugs in Veterinary Practice


TITLE 43. PROFESSIONS AND BUSINESSES CHAPTER 50. VETERINARIANS AND VETERINARY TECHNICIANS ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
43-50-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the 'Georgia Veterinary Practice Act.'
HISTORY: Code 1933, § 84-1501, enacted by Ga. L. 1965, p. 92, § 1; Ga. L. 1999, p. 81, § 43; Ga. L. 2003, p. 615, § 1-1.

(1 ) 'Prescription drug' includes any medicine medication or pharmaceutical or biological product whose manufacturers' label must, pursuant to federal or state law, have the following statement printed on its packaging: 'Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian'; or any over-the-counter product that is used in a manner different from the label directions and that by definition requires a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship for prescription or dispensing.

***

(15) 'Veterinarian-client-patient relationship' means that:
(A) The licensed veterinarian or his or her licensed designee has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment, and the client (owner or caretaker) has agreed to follow the instruction of the licensed veterinarian;
(B) There is sufficient knowledge of the animal by the licensed veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal. This means that the licensed veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by the virtue of examination of the animal or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept; and
(C) A licensed veterinarian is readily available for follow up in the case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy.



43-50-41. Disciplinary action; subpoenas; judicial review; reinstatement; investigatory powers; immunity; failure to appear; voluntary surrender of license or registration.
(a) The board is authorized to refuse to grant a license or registration to an applicant, to revoke the license or registration of a person licensed or registered by the board, or to discipline a person licensed or registered under this chapter or any antecedent law, upon a finding by a majority of the entire board that the licensee, registrant, or applicant has:

***


(12) Engaged in the excessive prescribing or administering of drugs or treatment or the use of diagnostic procedures which are detrimental to the patient as determined by the customary practice and standards of the local community of licensees; or knowingly prescribed controlled drug substances or any other medication without a legitimate veterinary medical purpose; or knowingly overprescribed controlled drug substances or other medication, in light of the condition of the patient at the time of prescription;

***

(14) Used, prescribed, or sold any veterinary prescription drug or prescribed an extralabel use of any drug in the absence of a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship; or
(15) Has had his or her U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration privileges restricted or revoked.

43-50-44. Exemptions.
This article shall not be construed to prohibit:

***

(6) Any merchant or manufacturer selling, at his or her regular place of business, medicines, feed, appliances, or other products used in the prevention or treatment of animal diseases. This shall not be construed to authorize the sale of medicines which must be obtained by a prescription from a pharmacist but shall only include the right to sell those medicines which are classified as proprietary and which are commonly known as over-the-counter medicines;

Complete statute found here






No comments: