FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1266

                          C 78 L 93

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Regulating veterinary medication clerks.

By 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

Background:  The practice of veterinary medicine is regulated by state law administered by the Veterinary Board of Governors.  The board also sets standards for veterinary medical facilities and for continuing veterinary education. The board prepares and conducts examinations for licensing persons to practice veterinary medicine or specialized veterinary medicine and for certifying persons as animal technicians.  Licenses and certificates are issued for the board by the state's secretary of health.  The secretary determines the fees for such licenses and certificates.

Legend drugs are defined by the state's prescription drug laws as being drugs which may be dispensed on prescription only or which are restricted to use by only physicians and surgeons, podiatrists, veterinarians, registered and licensed practical nurses, optometrists, physician's assistants, and pharmacists and their related licensed institutions, including research institutions.  In general, controlled substances are substances other than alcoholic beverages which are subject to abuse and for which possession is limited to those registered with the state's Board of Pharmacy.

Summary:  A new category of veterinary assistant is created.  It is that of veterinary medication clerk.  The performance of the duties of such a clerk is subject to regulation by the Veterinary Board of Governors.  A veterinary medication clerk must have successfully completed a training program approved by the Board of Governors.

The fee for issuing a certificate of registration to a veterinary medication clerk is set by the secretary of the Department of Health.  The registration must be renewed annually.

A veterinarian may delegate to a registered veterinary medication clerk or to a registered animal technician the performance of nondiscretionary functions defined by the Board of Governors for dispensing legend and nonlegend drugs (other than controlled substances) associated with the practice of veterinary medicine.  These functions are to be performed while the veterinarian is on the premises and is quickly and easily available.  Dispensing of drugs by the clerk or technician must meet the requirements of current law regarding such drugs and is subject to inspection by inspectors of the Board of Pharmacy.

If the veterinarian is not on the premises but has given written or oral instructions directing delivery of a packaged prescription, the registered clerk or technician may deliver the prescription pursuant to the instructions.  Such a delegation may take place only after the veterinarian has physically inspected the packaged prescription for proper formulation, packaging, and labeling.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  97 0

Senate 43 0

Effective:  July 25, 1993