Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Action

Department of Health Professions

Board of Veterinary Medicine

Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine [18 VAC 150 ‑ 20]

Action:

Prescribing of opioids

General Information

Action Summary	Emergency regulations for veterinarians prescribing of controlled substances containing opioids are being promulgated as emergency regulations to address the opioid abuse crisis in Virginia. Regulations for the management of acute pain include requirements for the evaluation of the patient, limitations on quantity and dosage, and record-keeping. Regulations provide requirements for prescribing an opioid beyond 14 days for chronic pain and certain chronic conditions, and allow for prescribing of buprenorphine in a dosage, quantity, and formulation appropriate for an animal species and size. Finally, there are requirements for continuation of treatment and for the content of the medical record.
Chapters Affected	Only affects this chapter.
Exempt from APA	No, this action is subject to the Administrative Process Act and the standard executive branch review process.
RIS Project	Yes [005103]
Associated Mandates	Prescribing of buprenorphine

Stages

Stages associated with this regulatory action.

Stage ID	Stage Type	Status
7915	Emergency/NOIRA	Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 6/26/2017 and expires on 12/25/2018.
8041	Proposed	Stage complete. Comment period ended 2/9/2018.
8240	Final	Secretary of Health and Human Resources review in progress.

Contact Information

Name / Title:	Leslie L. Knachel / Executive Director
Address:	9960 Mayland Drive Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23233
Email Address:	leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov
Phone:	(804)367-4468 FAX: (804)527-4471 TDD: ()-

This person is the primary contact for this board.