Budget Amendment ID: FY2017-S4-372-R1

Redraft EHS 372

Timely Access to Emergency Medication for Companion Animals

Messrs. Welch, Moore, Ross, Brady and Timilty, Ms. Gobi, Mr. Humason and Ms. Lovely moved that the proposed new text be amended <w:p><w:r><w:t xml:space="preserve">by inserting after section 35 the following section:-

“SECTION 35A. Chapter 112 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 58A the following section:-

Section 58A½. (a) For the purposes of this section the following terms shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

“Companion animal”, a domesticated animal including, but not limited to, fowl, birds, fish or reptiles; provided, however, that “companion animal” shall not include animals intended for consumption or whose products are intended for consumption by humans or other animals.

“Compounded drug”, a drug formulation distributed from a pharmacy that has been prepared, mixed or assembled for use on or for a companion animal to meet the unique medical need of a companion animal as determined by the prescribing veterinarian including, but not limited to, the removal of a dye for medical reasons, a change in strength, the addition of a flavor or a change in dosage, form or delivery mechanism.

(b) A veterinarian may dispense a compounded drug to a companion animal if: (i) the companion animal is a patient within a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, as defined in the principles of veterinary medical ethics established by the American Veterinary Medical Association; (ii) the quantity dispensed does not exceed a 120 hour supply; (iii) the compounded drug is for the treatment of an emergency condition; and (iv) timely access to a compounding pharmacy is not available, as determined by the prescribing veterinarian.

(c) Pharmacists shall label all compounded products for companion animals distributed to a veterinarian for further distribution or sale and include: (i) the name and strength of the compounded medication or list of the active ingredients and strengths; (ii) the facility’s control number; (iii) an appropriate beyond-use date as determined by the pharmacist in compliance with the United States Pharmacopeia and the National Formulary standards for pharmacy compounding; (iv) the name and address of the pharmacy; and (v) the quantity.”.