The bill amends the Public Health Code by adding a new section, 18816, which establishes requirements for veterinarians before they prescribe or dispense medication for animals. Specifically, veterinarians must provide the animal's owner with essential information about the drug, including its name and description, usage directions (including actions for missed doses), storage instructions (if available), common adverse effects, and any relevant manufacturer precautions or warnings. However, if the manufacturer has not provided the necessary information regarding adverse effects or warnings for the specific species, those requirements do not apply.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the information must be communicated to the animal's owner either orally or in writing, and the veterinarian is required to document the method of disclosure in the animal's medical record. This legislation aims to enhance transparency and ensure that pet owners are well-informed about the medications their animals receive, ultimately promoting better health outcomes for pets.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 333.1101, 333.25211