Committee advances bill allowing written veterinary prescriptions and pharmacy dispensing

The House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce voted on April 2 to pass SB874 SD2HD1 with amendments. The bill would require veterinarians, upon a client's request and for an established veterinarian–client–patient relationship, to provide a written prescription that the client may fill at a pharmacy of their choosing and would allow state-licensed pharmacies to dispense medications prescribed by veterinarians.

Christy Coglin, executive officer of the Board of Veterinary Medicine, testified in support of the bill on behalf of the DCCA board. Support was also recorded from the Fine Humane Society and an individual Zoom witness, Winston Welch. There were no substantive questions from committee members recorded during the testimony portion, and the chair recommended an amendment stipulating that notice (in subsection B) must be provided directly to the client at the time the prescription is prescribed or recommended, but not more than once per office visit.

The chair called the roll and the committee adopted the chair's recommendation to pass SB874 with amendments.

Outcome and next steps: SB874 passed committee with the amendment as described and will move forward per the chamber's legislative process.