March 2024 Report
This report shares short summary highlights of tracked legislative bills and rules & regulations that have seen recent activity, as well as available board and state VMA updates.
The legislative activity map reflects all 2024 activity and is updated daily. The regulation activity map reflects activity within the last month and will be updated monthly.
Legislative Activity
Regulation Activity
Board Watch
Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board – December 13, 2023 Minutes
CCR Sections 2006, 2006.5, 2006.51, 2006.52, 2006.53, 2006.54, 2006.55, and 2006.56
Uniform Standards for Substance-Abusing Licensees
- Notice of Proposed Regulatory Action
- Initial Statement of Reasons
- Proposed Regulatory Language
- Notice Publication/Regulations Submission (Std. Form 400) and Final Statement of Reasons
- Order of Adoption
- Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State: February 12, 2024
Regulatory Action Effective: April 1, 2024
CCR Section 2068.5
RVT Equivalent Experience and Education
- Notice of Proposed Regulatory Action
- Initial Statement of Reasons
- Proposed Regulatory Language
- Notice Publication/Regulations Submission (Std. Form 400) and Final Statement of Reasons
- Order of Adoption
- Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State: January 9, 2024
Regulatory Action Effective: April 1, 2024
Georgia Veterinary Medicine Investigative Committee Meeting – February 6, 2024 Minutes
Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine – March 13, 2024 Recorded Minutes
Notice of Public Comment and Hearings for Veterinary Auxiliary Personnel Rules
Upon passage of HF 670, the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine (IBVM) is now revising the rules in 811-Veterinary Medicine Board, which will specify the tasks and supervision levels required for the various types of veterinary auxiliary personnel.
The rules are available for viewing and open for public comment here.
Public Comment is open through March 29, 2024, by commenting on the above webpage or sending your comments to the IVMA at ivma@iowavma.org or 515-965-9237.
All interested parties are invited to attend Public Hearings on the proposed rules. The hearings will be held in the Second Floor Boardroom, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E 9th Street Des Moines on Thursday, February 29, at 10:00 am, and Friday, March 8, at 10:00 am.
Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – January 25, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Plc 313 readoption with amendments – Licensure by Endorsement
Public Hearing: Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 2:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Board Room at the OPLC offices at 7 Eagle Square, Concord NH
Join Public Hearing Plc 313 Meeting via Zoom
Meeting ID: 848 7125 4961
Find your local number
**You do not need to attend the hearing to submit written comments.**
Deadline for Submitting Written Comment: 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 21, 2024
Please submit comments to OPLC-Rules@oplc.nh.gov.
New Jersey State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – January 10, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board – February 21, 2024 Meeting Minutes
The Ontario Government announced Bill 171 – Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act which repeals and replaces the Veterinarians Act with the Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024.
The bill has been ordered to Second Read.
SCHEDULE 1
VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS ACT, 2024
The Veterinarians Act is repealed and replaced with the Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024. The following are highlights from the Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024.
Part I provides for how terms used in the Act are to be interpreted.
Part II deals with the governance of the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. In this Part, the objectives of the College are established. Rules respecting the Council and committees of the College are also set out.
Part III sets out the rules respecting authorized activities and provides limits on who can carry out authorized activities and the circumstances in which they can be carried out. This Part also deals with reasonably foreseeable serious bodily harm to animals or persons resulting from treatment, advice, and omission from treatment or advice. Finally, this Part sets out the persons who may use certain restricted titles and the circumstances in which such titles can be used.
Part IV deals with licensing of members of the College, including rules respecting applications for, terminations of, and hearings respecting licenses. The Part also deals with accreditation of veterinary facilities and the process and rules respecting certificates of accreditation.
Part V deals with the College’s Executive Committee.
Part VI provides for a quality assurance program to be established by the regulations which will aim, amongst other objects, to assure the quality of the practice of members of the College.
Part VII sets out requirements for certain persons to report certain things to the Registrar of the College. The Part also sets out the process for making, investigating, and addressing complaints against members and former members of the College.
Part VIII deals with investigations and resolutions. The powers and duties of the College’s Investigations and Resolutions Committee in considering and investigating the conduct of members and former members of the College are set out.
Part IX provides for addressing professional misconduct, incompetence, and impairment to fitness to practice. The powers and duties of the College’s Discipline and Fitness to Practise Committee are set out with respect to such matters.
Part X deals with appealing decisions or orders of certain committees of the College or the Board to the Divisional Court.
Part XI provides the process and rules for persons to apply for a certificate of authorization to establish a professional corporation for the purpose of practicing veterinary medicine. Rules respecting such professional corporations are also set out.
Part XII deals with contravention or failure to comply with the Act or the regulations. Two categories of offenses are established.
Part XIII sets out the powers of the Minister and Lieutenant Governor in Council with respect to the College.
Part XIV deals with assorted administrative and miscellaneous matters.
Part XV deals with regulations made by the Council of the College, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, by the Minister, and by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. This Part also deals with the Council of the College’s by-laws and standards for veterinary facilities and the practice of veterinary medicine.
Part XVI deals with transitional matters.
Part XVII sets out amendments to the Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024, and consequential amendments to other Acts.
SCHEDULE 2
ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF VETERINARY TECHNICIANS ACT, 1993
Currently, the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians Act, 1993, gives the Association the power to grant its members the right to the exclusive use of certain professional designations. The Schedule amends the Act to remove that power as the new Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024, enacted elsewhere in the Bill, grants members the exclusive right to use the titles. Various other amendments are made to the Act respecting the objects of the Association, the composition of the Board, the Association’s by-law-making powers, and other similar and related matters.
Oregon Veterinary Medical Licensing Board – January 19, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Prince Edward Island introduced Bill No. 45 An Act to Amend the Animal Health Act. The bill makes various edits to the current Animal Health Act.
This bill has been First Read.
Utah Veterinary Physicians Licensing Board Meeting – January 18, 2024 meeting
Veterinary_2024_01_18_Audio.mp3
Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine – February 15, 2024 meeting
VMAs
Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association 117th Winter Meeting
Take a few moments to read a brief review of the high points, including the introduction of our leadership for 2024!
February 2024 Winter Meeting Wrap-Up
Bylaws review
The Bylaws for the ArVMA were last revised in January 1998. The needs of our Association and the ways our Association can serve you, the membership, have changed dramatically over the past 25 years. The intention of your Executive Board in considering changes to the Bylaws is not to change the way your Association does business, but to update the way your Association operates in a relevant way.
A motion was made to accept the Bylaws Revisions at the 2024 Winter Meeting. That motion will then be tabled for 1 year to allow thorough discussion and consideration of the Revisions for 1 year by the membership. A vote to accept the Bylaws Revision will be conducted at the 2025 Winter Meeting. Comments will be accepted for the next 6 months to allow for adequate time. Comments will close on August 5th, 2024. This will allow time for the Bylaws Committee to formulate the final document. The new Bylaws as revised will be provided to membership 60 days prior to the 2025 winter meeting to allow for proper time to review. A vote will be taken at the 2025 winter meeting.
V.I.T.A.L. Updates: Georgia Senate Bill 410
Staying ahead of legislative developments is crucial. At GVMA, our commitment to our members extends beyond professional growth – it encompasses a vigilant advocacy role that has a tangible impact on the industry. Recently, our legislative watchdog capabilities played a pivotal role in the development of Georgia Senate Bill 410.
What does SB 410 say?
Georgia Senate Bill 410 addresses the shortage of veterinarians available to perform spays and neuters. The bill allows veterinarians licensed in other states the opportunity to apply for a temporary license in Georgia to perform spays and neuters at any government or non-profit organization. The temporary license expires after 6 months.
Example of what SB 410 allows: A veterinarian licensed in another state can apply for a temporary license to perform spays and neuters at a government or non-profit facility for up to 6 months.
Example of what SB 410 does not allow: A veterinarian licensed in Florida cannot bring their mobile spay/neuter unit into Georgia and perform spays/neuters and leave.
Our proactive involvement allowed us to represent veterinary medicine and ensure the bill aligns with the best interests of both practitioners and the communities they serve. By leveraging our strong relationships within the community, we are uniquely positioned as key stakeholders in the legislative process, advocating for a positive change that benefits all involved parties.
We are always interested in hearing your feedback, questions, or concerns. Let us know your thoughts by emailing us at gvma@gvma.net.
Pharmacy Updates
Beyond-Use Dates: Ready or Not, USP Guidelines Will Impact Your Practice
As featured in dvm360 Magazine, February 2024 Issue
By Melissa King, PharmD, Director of Manufacturing Operations, Epicur Pharma, and Andrew Filewicz, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy Compounding, Stokes Pharmacy
February 29 2024— New revisions to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter 795, for compounding of non-sterile pharmaceuticals, and Chapter 797, for compounding sterile preparations, are in effect. These standards of practice can now be enforced by the FDA, local state boards of pharmacy, and accreditation organizations. The new USP guidelines limit the ability of 503A compounding pharmacies to extend Beyond-Use Dates (BUDs). This regulatory change is one of many by both the USP and FDA to improve the testing and manufacturing standards for veterinary medicines. It can be challenging to keep up—what is the real impact to your veterinary practice?
Traditionally, veterinary hospitals and clinics utilized neighborhood or national 503A compounding pharmacies to fill prescriptions for compounded medications. These medications are labeled with a “Beyond-Use Date” or BUD. These regulations will further shrink the window for usability. 503B veterinary medicines are manufactured according to carefully controlled manufacturing and testing standards, and typically offer a longer, proven expiration date, typically up to 365 days.
Many of your most prescribed medications have been impacted. For 503A compounding pharmacies without testing in place to verify BUD, these use-by dates may change from 180 days to 1-4 days, making them impractical to prescribe. Some of the common 503A prescriptions, and their available 503B medication alternatives include:
- Flurbiprofen 0.03% Ophthalmic Ointment, 1 day controlled room temperature under new USP guidelines. Alternate option: Flurbiprofen 0.04% Ophthalmic Solution, 365 days from date manufactured.
- Cidofovir 1% Ophthalmic Solution, 4 days refrigerated. Alternate option: Cidofovir 0.5% Ophthalmic Solution, 365 days from date manufactured.
- Tacrolimus AQ 0.05% Ophthalmic Suspension, 4 days refrigerated. Alternate option: Tacrolimus AQ 0.03% or 0.1% Ophthalmic Suspension, 365 days from date manufactured.
Testing processes have traditionally varied widely in compounding pharmacies, and many have expanded testing in anticipation of these regulations. These new pressures may cause backlogs at external testing facilities, presenting a logistics challenge in getting these to your patients within the usability window.
What You Need to Know to Prescribe
It might be easy to suggest clients disregard these dates, but the BUD date is important to ensure the product’s safety, quality, and efficacy and plays an important role in safeguarding patient well-being.
Products that exceed their shelf life can cause a variety of problems that impact patient health, including degradation or increased concentration of the active ingredient, contamination during distribution or storage, changes in the drug’s bioavailability, altering the rate and amount absorbed by the patient, and the development of toxic byproducts over time.
This is a paid sponsored content article from Epicur.