D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-2815
A veterinarian shall prescribe, administer, or dispense drugs only for use on animals within the scope of the veterinarian's professional practice. A veterinarian shall not prescribe drugs for use by humans.
A veterinarian shall prescribe drugs only by a written prescription or on oral prescription to a pharmacist as authorized by, and in compliance with, applicable District and federal laws and regulations.
Drugs may be administered only by a veterinarian or a veterinary auxiliary properly trained by a veterinarian in the manner of such administration of drugs and under the supervision of a veterinarian.
All drugs shall be dispensed by a veterinarian or by a veterinary auxiliary pursuant to a prescription of a veterinarian. A veterinarian shall thoroughly inspect the prepared prescription and verify its accuracy in all respects.
All drugs dispensed by a veterinarian shall be labeled with the following information:
All drugs dispensed by a veterinarian shall be in air-tight and light-resistant containers. All drugs dispensed by a veterinarian shall be in approved safety closure containers, unless the client expressly requests that the medication not be provided in such containers.
A veterinarian shall keep an account of all drugs prescribed, administered, or dispensed in the client record.
A veterinarian shall keep controlled substances records separate from the client's other records and shall maintain them in chronological order for the administration, dispensing, or application of all Schedule II, III, IV and V drugs listed as part of the District of Columbia Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 1981, effective August 5, 1981 (D.C. Law 4-29, D.C. Official Code §§ 48-902.01 et seq.). This record shall include the following:
A veterinarian shall maintain invoices for all Schedule II, III, IV, and V drugs received on the premises where the stock of drugs is held, and shall keep invoices for Schedule II drugs separate from Schedule III, IV, V, and other records. All records shall be maintained for a period of at least three (3) years from the date of a transaction or as required by the applicable laws and regulations.
Drugs shall be stored in the following manner:
Drug storage areas shall be secure and temperature-controlled and shall be kept clean and orderly.
A veterinarian shall review the stock of drugs and biologicals at reasonable intervals to remove expired drugs or biologicals.
A veterinarian shall dispose of unused or expired drugs and pharmaceuticals in a manner permitted or required by the applicable District and federal laws and regulations. A veterinarian or veterinary facility shall be subject to the safe disposal of unused pharmaceuticals requirements of 22-B DCMR §§ 500-599.
A veterinarian shall take an inventory of all Schedule II, III, IV, and V drugs under the veterinarian's control every two (2) years and shall date and sign the inventory. The inventory shall indicate if it was made at the opening or closing of business and shall be kept on the premises where the drugs are stocked for at least three (3) years from the date of the inventory or as required by the applicable laws and regulations.
A veterinarian shall keep Schedule II controlled substances in a locked area and make reasonable efforts to ensure that no unauthorized access occurs.
A veterinarian shall immediately report the theft or unusual loss of Schedule II, III, IV or V controlled substances to the Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
A veterinarian may permit a certified veterinary technician or euthanasia technician to access, log, or administer controlled substances provided that the veterinarian fully documents such delegation and establishes clear policies and procedures to prevent misuse or diversion.
To provide, prescribe, administer, or dispense opioids and other controlled substances for their patients, a veterinarian shall have a valid DC Controlled Substance Registration and DEA registration, establish a veterinarian-clientpatient relationship (VCPR), and comply with all DEA, federal, and District laws and regulations and shall document a discussion with the client about the known risks and benefits of drugs, the responsibility for the security of the drug and proper disposal of any unused drug.
A veterinarian shall give consideration to nonpharmacological and non-opioid treatment prior to treatment with an opioid or other controlled substance.
A veterinarian seeking to provide continued prescription of a controlled substance shall evaluate the patient at least every three (3) months and document such prescribing in the patient record.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-2815