THE BILL ITSELF
CS/CS/HB 89
Veterinary Prescription Disclosure
2
An act relating to veterinary prescription disclosure;
3
creating s. 474.224, F.S.; requiring a veterinarian to
4
inform a client of the right to receive a written
5
prescription or the option to have the prescription
6
filled at the veterinary establishment; specifies
7
certain transmission methods for "written
8
prescriptions"; requires the disclosure to include an
9
acknowledgement signed by the client; requires the
10
acknowledgement to include certain information;
11
prohibiting certain statements, notifications,
12
warnings, or assumptions; requiring posting of certain
13
information; providing requirements therefor;
14
providing exceptions; providing an effective date.
16
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
18
Section 1. Section 474.224, Florida Statutes, is created
19
to read:
20
474.224 Veterinary prescription disclosure.—
21
(1)(a) Before dispensing a prescription medication, a
22
licensed veterinarian or an authorized member of the veterinary
23
staff must clearly inform a client of:
24
1. The client's right to receive a written prescription
25
for the medication that can be filled at the pharmacy of the
26
client's choice.
27
2. If the veterinary establishment is able to fill the
28
prescription, the option to have the prescription filled at the
29
veterinary establishment.
31
For purposes of this chapter, "written prescription" may include
32
paper prescriptions via manual transmission or electronic
33
prescriptions via direct transmission to a pharmacy.
34
(b) Each disclosure required under this subsection shall
35
be made:
36
1. Verbally, if the consultation with the client is in
37
person; or
38
2. Electronically, if the consultation with the client is
39
through veterinary telehealth.
40
(c) The option chosen by the client under paragraph (a)
41
must be documented by the veterinarian or an authorized member
42
of the veterinary staff with a one-time acknowledgement that is
43
signed by the client and that states that the client is aware of
44
the options in paragraph (a).
45
1. The acknowledgement must be in substantially the
46
following form:
48
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ABILITY TO
49
RECEIVE WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION
50
"I, (name of client), understand the veterinary client's
51
right to receive a written prescription for the medication
52
that can be filled by the pharmacy of my choice or my
53
veterinarian, as provided in s. 474.224, Florida Statutes."
55
Signature: (signature of applicant) Date:
56
(date)
58
2. An acknowledgment signed by a client under this section
59
shall be documented in the patient's medical record.
60
3. An acknowledgement under this section may not make a
61
statement, notification, warning, or assumption regarding the
62
efficacy or safety of filling prescriptions through an outside
63
pharmacy.
64
(d) A veterinary establishment shall post a clear and
65
conspicuous sign near the point of sale or where checkout occurs
66
which substantially states the following:
68
"FLORIDA LAW GIVES THE VETERINARY CLIENT THE OPTION TO:
69
1. RECEIVE A WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION FOR MEDICATION THAT CAN
70
BE FILLED AT THE PHARMACY OF YOUR CHOICE; OR
71
2. HAVE YOUR PRESCRIPTION FILLED AT THE VETERINARY
72
ESTABLISHMENT, IF THE VETERINARY ESTABLISHMENT IS ABLE TO
73
FILL THE PRESCRIPTION."
75
(2) This section does not apply if:
76
(a) Immediate dispensing of medication is necessary to
77
preserve life or prevent suffering; or
78
(b) The prescription is for a controlled substance, the
79
dispensing of which is restricted by federal or state law.
80
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.