THE BILL ITSELF
SB 1050
Veterinary Prescription Disclosure
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1050 By Senator Calatayud 38-01627A-26 20261050__
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to veterinary prescription disclosure;
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creating s. 474.224, F.S.; requiring a veterinarian or
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authorized member of veterinary staff to inform a
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client of the right to receive a written prescription
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to be filled at a pharmacy of the client’s choice or
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the option to have the prescription filled at the
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veterinary establishment; defining the term “written
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prescription”; requiring that such disclosure be made
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in specified manners; requiring that the disclosure
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include an acknowledgement signed by the client;
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providing requirements for the acknowledgement;
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providing that such acknowledgement be documented in
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the patient’s medical records; providing that such
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acknowledgement may not make certain statements,
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notifications, warnings, or assumptions; requiring a
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veterinary establishment to post a specified sign in a
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certain area; providing applicability; providing an
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effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Section 474.224, Florida Statutes, is created to
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read:
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474.224 Veterinary prescription disclosure.—
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(1)(a) Before dispensing a prescription medication, a
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licensed veterinarian or an authorized member of the veterinary
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staff must clearly inform a client of:
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1. The client’s right to receive a written prescription for
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the medication that can be filled at the pharmacy of the
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client’s choice.
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2. If the veterinary establishment is able to fill the
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prescription, the option to have the prescription filled at the
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veterinary establishment.
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For purposes of this chapter, “written prescription” includes
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paper prescriptions delivered via manual transmission or
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electronic prescriptions delivered via direct transmission to a
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pharmacy.
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(b) Each disclosure required under this subsection shall be
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made:
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1. Verbally, if the consultation with the client is in
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person; or
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2. Electronically, if the consultation with the client is
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through veterinary telehealth.
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(c) The option chosen by the client under paragraph (a)
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must be documented by the veterinarian or an authorized member
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of the veterinary staff with a one-time acknowledgement that is
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signed by the client and that states that the client is aware of
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the options in paragraph (a).
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1. The acknowledgement must be in substantially the
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following form:
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ABILITY TO
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RECEIVE WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION
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I, ...(name of client)..., understand the veterinary client’s
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right to receive a written prescription for medication that can
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be filled by the pharmacy of my choice or my veterinarian, as
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provided in s. 474.224, Florida Statutes.
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Signature:...(signature of applicant)...Date:...(date)...
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2. An acknowledgment signed by a client under this section
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shall be documented in the patient’s medical record.
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3. An acknowledgement under this section may not make a
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statement, notification, warning, or assumption regarding the
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efficacy or safety of filling prescriptions through an outside
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pharmacy.
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(d) A veterinary establishment shall post a clear and
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conspicuous sign near the point of sale or where checkout occurs
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which substantially states the following:
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FLORIDA LAW GIVES THE VETERINARY CLIENT THE OPTION TO:
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1. RECEIVE A WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION FOR MEDICATION
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THAT CAN BE FILLED AT THE PHARMACY OF YOUR CHOICE; OR
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2. HAVE YOUR PRESCRIPTION FILLED AT THE
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VETERINARY ESTABLISHMENT, IF THE VETERINARY
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ESTABLISHMENT IS ABLE TO FILL THE PRESCRIPTION.
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(2) This section does not apply if:
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(a) Immediate dispensing of medication is necessary to
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preserve life or prevent suffering; or
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(b) The prescription is for a controlled substance, the
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dispensing of which is restricted by federal or state law.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.