FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1115

                                  C 242 L 89

BYHouse Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Zellinsky, Schmidt, Baugher, Pruitt, Sayan, Haugen, Scott, Vekich, Padden, Cooper and R. Meyers) 

Authorizing purchase of legend drugs by animal control agencies.

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

Senate Committee on Agriculture

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The state's prescription drug laws define "legend drugs"  as drugs that may be dispensed on prescription only or that are restricted to use by practitioners only.

With certain exceptions, persons who manufacture, distribute, or dispense certain controlled substances are required by the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act to register with the State Board of Pharmacy.  Under the provisions of the act, a humane society and animal control agency may apply to the board for registration for the sole purpose of being authorized to purchase, possess, and administer sodium pentobarbital to euthanize injured, sick, or unwanted domestic pets and animals.

SUMMARY:

Humane societies and animal control agencies registered with the State Board of Pharmacy under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and authorized to euthanize animals may also purchase, possess, and administer certain legend drugs for the purpose of sedating animals prior to euthanasia and for use in chemical capture programs.  The legend drugs that may be used are those designated by the Board of Pharmacy by rule as being approved for this use and do not include substances regulated under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.  The board must adopt rules to regulate the purchase, possession, and administration of legend drugs by the humane societies and animal control agencies and to ensure strict compliance.  The rules for the storage, inventory control, administration, and recordkeeping must conform to the same standards adopted by the board for the use of controlled substances by these societies and agencies.

A society or agency registered with the board may not permit a person to administer any legend drugs unless the person has demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the board, adequate knowledge of the potential hazards and proper techniques involved. In addition to any other authority for suspending or revoking a registration, the board may suspend or revoke a registration upon determining that the required knowledge has not been demonstrated by the persons administering the drugs.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 91   0

      Senate    46     0 (Senate amended)

      House 97   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989