§ 32-2240.03 — Veterinarian client patient relationship through electronic means; consent; prescriptions; scope of practice

Arizona § 32-2240.03

• Jurisdiction: Arizona
• Title 32: Arizona Revised Statutes
• Ch. 21: VETERINARIANS
• Art. 3: Regulation

Text

A. Notwithstanding any other law and except for an animal that is used in commercial food production that is regulated under title 3, a veterinarian may establish a veterinarian client patient relationship through electronic means if all of the following apply:

1. The veterinarian is licensed pursuant to this chapter or holds a permit pursuant to section 32-2217.01.

2. The veterinarian obtains informed consent from the client, including an acknowledgement that the standards of care prescribed by this chapter apply to in-person visits and visits through electronic means. The veterinarian shall maintain for at least three years documentation of the consent described in this paragraph.

3. The veterinarian provides the client with the veterinarian's name and contact information and secures an alternate means of contacting the client if the electronic means is interrupted. The electronic or written record provided to the client after the telemedicine visit must include the veterinarian's license number.

4. Before conducting an evaluation of the patient through electronic means, the veterinarian advises the client of all of the following:

(a) The veterinarian may ultimately recommend an in-person visit.

(b) The veterinarian is prohibited by federal law from prescribing some drugs or medications based only on an electronic examination.

(c) The appointment through electronic means may be terminated at any time.

5. The veterinarian is able to recommend the client to a local veterinarian who can see the animal in person. The client has the option to choose an in-person visit.

B. A veterinarian may prescribe drugs or medications after establishing a veterinary client patient relationship through electronic means, except that:

1. Prescriptions based only on an electronic examination may be initially issued for up to fourteen days and may be renewed one time for up to fourteen days with an additional electronic examination.

2. Prescriptions based only on electronic examinations and that have been renewed once may not be renewed again without an in-person examination.

3. The veterinarian must notify the client that some prescription drugs or medications may be available at a pharmacy and, if requested, the veterinarian will submit a prescription to a pharmacy that the client chooses.

4. The veterinarian may not order, prescribe or make available a controlled substance as defined in section 36-2501 unless the veterinarian has performed an in-person physical examination of the patient or made medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the patient is kept.

5. The veterinarian shall prescribe all drugs and medications in accordance with all federal and state laws.

C. Veterinarian services provided through electronic means are subject to the rules adopted pursuant to section 32-2275 relating to the practice of veterinary medicine.