Wash. law gives new freedoms to technicians

Olympia, Wash.

-- "Registered veterinary medication clerks" will soon be able to administer controlled substances without the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, according to a new law passed in Washington.

House Bill 1271, introduced Jan. 16 and signed by the governor April 20, allows a veterinarian legally prescribing drugs to delegate to a "registered veterinary medication clerk" under indirect supervision various non-discretionary functions used in "the preparing of legend drugs, non-legend drugs and controlled substances."

Licensed veterinary technicians may administer legend drugs under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian. The law goes into effect July 26.

The law is one of several being sought by or passed by legislators in several states giving more freedom to technicians and other non-veterinarians as far as veterinary care is concerned. Read more about this trend in the July issue of DVM Newsmagazine.