Virginia Law

A. The veterinarian-in-charge of a veterinary establishment is responsible for:

1. Regularly being on site as necessary to provide routine oversight to the veterinary establishment for patient safety and compliance with law and regulation.

2. Maintaining the facility within the standards set forth by this chapter.

3. Performing the biennial controlled substance inventory and ensuring compliance at the facility with any federal or state law relating to controlled substances as defined in § 54.1-3404 of the Code of Virginia. The performance of the biennial inventory may be delegated to another licensee, provided the veterinarian-in-charge signs the inventory and remains responsible for its content and accuracy.

4. Notifying the board in writing of the closure of the registered facility 10 days prior to closure.

5. Notifying the board immediately if no longer acting as the veterinarian-in-charge.

6. Ensuring the establishment maintains a current and valid registration issued by the board.

B. Upon any change in veterinarian-in-charge, these procedures shall be followed:

1. The veterinarian-in-charge registered with the board remains responsible for the establishment and the stock of controlled substances until a new veterinarian-in-charge is registered or for five days, whichever occurs sooner.

2. An application for a new registration, naming the new veterinarian-in-charge, shall be made five days prior to the change of the veterinarian-in-charge. If no prior notice was given by the previous veterinarian-in-charge, an application for a new registration naming a new veterinarian-in-charge shall be filed as soon as possible, but no more than 10 days, after the change.

3. The previous establishment registration is void on the date of the change of veterinarian-in-charge and shall be returned by the former veterinarian-in-charge to the board five days following the date of change.

4. Prior to the opening of the business, on the date of the change of veterinarian-in-charge, the new veterinarian-in-charge shall take a complete inventory of all Schedules II through V drugs on hand. He shall date and sign the inventory and maintain it on premises for three years. That inventory may be designated as the official biennial controlled substance inventory.

C. Prior to the sale or closure of a veterinary establishment, the veterinarian-in-charge shall:

1. Follow the requirements for transfer of patient records to another location in accordance with § 54.1-2405 of the Code of Virginia; and

2. If there is no transfer of records upon sale or closure of an establishment, the veterinarian-in-charge shall provide to the board information about the location of or access to patient records and the disposition of all scheduled drugs.