SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1266

    AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, MARCH 25, 1993

Brief Description:  Regulating veterinary medication clerks.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell, Dyer, R. Johnson, Cooke, Riley, Lisk, Morris, Dellwo and Ballasiotes)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators M. Rasmussen, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Barr, Newhouse, and Snyder.

Staff:  Bob Lee (786‑7404)

Hearing Dates: March 18, 1993: March 25, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Currently, only a licensed veterinarian may dispense drugs from veterinary clinics.

An animal technician is a person who has completed an examination administered by the board and who meets certain statutory requirements. 

SUMMARY:

"Veterinary medication clerk" is defined as a person who has completed a board-approved training program developed in consultation with the Board of Pharmacy for the dispensing of legend and nonlegend drugs associated with the practice of veterinary medicine. 

Procedures are established whereby drugs prescribed by a veterinarian may be dispensed by other trained persons in a veterinary clinic.   

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Allowing veterinary medication clerks to be trained to dispense drugs prescribed by licensed veterinarians allows drugs to be dispensed while the veterinarian is out of the office or in surgery.  It will increase the efficiency in the operation of the clinics.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Steve Boruchowitz, Dept. of Health; Jack Melton, Dept. of Health; R. W. Mead, Dept. of Ag; Greg Hanon, WA State Veterinary Medical Assn.