Important Update for Veterinarians Affected by Southern California Wildfires: Delivery Provisions for Medications and Devices
In response to the ongoing Southern California wildfires, the California Veterinary Medical Board has received numerous requests from veterinarians seeking to update their address of record to ensure the continued delivery of essential medications for their patients. This is a crucial issue for those who may be displaced or unable to receive deliveries due to the fires.
To address this, the California State Board of Pharmacy has issued an important waiver to ease the burden on veterinarians, allowing for the delivery of dangerous drugs or devices to alternate locations, rather than requiring a change to the address of record.
Key Details of the Waiver:
This waiver, issued in light of the Governor’s proclamation of a state of emergency in response to the Palisades Fire, provides flexibility for veterinarians and pharmacies in the affected areas. It allows dangerous drugs or devices to be delivered to an alternate location under the following conditions:
Location Requirement: The authorized purchaser must be located in Los Angeles County or any surrounding county affected by the fires.
Authorization Confirmation: Confirmation must be received from the authorized purchaser that the intended recipient (veterinarian) is legally authorized to receive the dangerous drug or device.
Security of Alternate Premises: The alternate premises must have adequate security to store the drugs or devices for up to 72 hours, ensuring that they are safely kept during the delivery process.
Authorized Signature: The delivery may only be made if an authorized individual is present to sign for the delivery, confirming receipt of the medications or devices.
Record Keeping: Detailed records of the delivery, documenting compliance with these provisions, must be maintained for three years in a readily retrievable form.
Why This Waiver Matters:
For many veterinarians affected by the wildfires, maintaining continuity of care for their patients can be incredibly challenging, especially when it comes to obtaining critical medications. This waiver ensures that veterinarians do not need to change their address of record to continue receiving necessary drugs or devices. Instead, they can work with manufacturers, wholesalers, or third-party logistics providers to arrange deliveries to an alternate location where they can safely receive and store these supplies.
This flexibility not only helps mitigate the disruption caused by the fires but also ensures that veterinary practices can continue providing essential care to animals in need, without the added burden of updating official records during an already stressful and chaotic time.
How to Proceed:
Veterinarians affected by the wildfires who need to arrange for deliveries under this waiver should contact their suppliers or logistics providers to coordinate alternative delivery arrangements. Additionally, veterinarians should ensure that the alternate premises where the drugs or devices will be delivered meet the required security standards and are able to receive the delivery and store the items safely.
For further information, veterinarians can reach out to the California Veterinary Medical Board or consult the California State Board of Pharmacy for guidance on implementing the waiver.
This waiver offers a much-needed solution for veterinarians facing difficult circumstances in Southern California and serves as an example of how regulatory agencies are working together to provide support during emergencies.
For more details, or if you need help navigating the process, you can visit the California State Board of Pharmacy’s website or contact them directly for assistance.
