Source: FDA
The FDA’s recent guidance clarifies the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requirements for veterinarians in prescribing animal drugs and establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). According to the FDA, only licensed veterinarians can prescribe and dispense animal drugs, and they must comply with the federal VCPR, which cannot be established solely through telemedicine. The VCPR requires in-person examinations or timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.
While some states have altered their regulations to allow virtual VCPR establishment, federal law still mandates an in-person requirement wherever it applies. The FDA also specified that midlevel practitioners (MLPs) cannot legally prescribe or dispense animal drugs under current federal regulations, reinforcing that a licensed veterinarian must be directly involved in all instances. The guidance aims to ensure safe use of animal drugs, emphasizing veterinarians’ expertise in supervising their use and advising that states may have additional requirements.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/product-safety-information/veterinarian-client-patient-relationships-prescribingdispensing-animal-drugs-and-telemedicine