FloridaVeterinary staff must explain prescription options to clients
Starting July 1, 2026, veterinary staff must explain prescription options before dispensing medication, except in urgent cases and for certain restricted controlled substances.
What it does
Before dispensing prescription medication, staff must explain that clients may get a written prescription for a pharmacy of their choice. If the veterinary establishment can fill it, staff must explain that option too; urgent cases and certain restricted controlled substances are exceptions.
Clients must sign a one-time form showing they understand their prescription options, and staff must keep it in the patient’s record. Veterinary establishments must also post a clear notice about those options.
Argument forClients may be better able to choose where to fill a prescription because staff must explain the option to use a pharmacy of their choice.
Argument againstClients could face extra paperwork because they must sign a form about their prescription options, which staff must keep in the patient’s record.
More detail
Before dispensing prescription medication, a veterinarian or authorized staff member must explain the client’s prescription options. The rule covers prescription medication dispensed by a veterinarian or veterinary staff member. If the veterinary establishment can fill the prescription, staff must also explain that the client may choose to have it filled there. Staff must give the disclosure verbally during an in-person consultation and electronically during a telehealth consultation. The requirements do not apply when immediate dispensing is needed to preserve life or prevent suffering, or when state or federal law restricts dispensing a controlled substance. These requirements take effect July 1, 2026.
Veterinary staff must document the client’s choice with a one-time signed acknowledgement, and the veterinary establishment must post a notice about the options. These requirements apply to veterinary establishments and their clients. The acknowledgement must state that the client understands the options and must be kept in the patient’s medical record. The acknowledgement may not include statements, notifications, or warnings about the safety or effectiveness of filling prescriptions through an outside pharmacy. The notice must be clear and easy to see near the point of sale or checkout. These requirements take effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Chapter No. 2026-77Latest
- May 12Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 11Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Feb 19Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19In Messages
- Feb 19Immediately certified
- Feb 19CS passed; YEAS 38 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Feb 19Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 19Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Substituted for SB 1050
- Feb 19Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Feb 19Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Feb 18ReceivedMinor
- Feb 12Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 12In Messages
- Feb 11CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
- Jan 13Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Jan 131st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Jan 131st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- 2025
- Dec 18Bill referred to House Calendar
- Dec 15CS FiledMinor
- Dec 15Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Dec 15Reported out of Commerce Committee
- Dec 11Favorable with CS by Commerce CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Commerce Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Dec 4Added to Commerce Committee agenda
- Nov 20Now in Commerce Committee
- Nov 20Referred to Commerce CommitteeMinor
- Nov 19CS FiledMinor
- Nov 19Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Nov 19Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
- Nov 18Favorable with CS by Industries & Professional Activities SubcommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Nov 10Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda
- Oct 14Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
- Oct 14Referred to Commerce CommitteeMinor
- Oct 14Referred to Industries & Professional Activities SubcommitteeMinor
- Oct 6FiledIntroduced
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