HB616 • 2026

Veterinary medicine; providing written prescriptions to clients required, subject to conditions

Healthcare

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Wilcox
Last action: 2026-03-12
Official status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text states it becomes effective on October 1, 2026, but the metadata lists 'Pending Committee Action' and a future date of March 2026 for first read; this suggests the status in the source material may be inconsistent or hypothetical.

HB616: Rules for Written Veterinary Prescriptions

This bill requires veterinarians in Alabama to give written prescriptions when clients ask, if the medicine is safe and a proper relationship exists.

What This Bill Does

Requires licensed veterinarians to provide a written prescription upon request from a client if specific conditions are met.
Mandates that staff inform clients they can get a prescription filled at any pharmacy of their choice before giving out medication.
Orders all veterinary facilities to post a sign near the entrance or checkout stating this right under Alabama law.
Defines 'written prescription' as either paper forms sent by hand or electronic messages sent directly to a pharmacy.

Who It Names or Affects

Licensed veterinarians in Alabama
Veterinary facilities and their staff members
Pet owners who are clients of veterinary services

Terms To Know

Written prescription: A paper note sent by hand or an electronic message sent directly to a pharmacy.
Veterinarian-client-patient relationship: The official connection required between a vet, an animal owner, and their pet before medical care can happen.

Limits and Unknowns

Vets do not have to give written prescriptions if giving the medicine right away is needed to save a life or stop suffering.
This rule does not apply to medicines that federal or state laws restrict from being dispensed by prescription.

Bill History

2026-03-12 House
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-03-12 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Small Business

Official Summary Text

Veterinary medicine; providing written prescriptions to clients required, subject to conditions

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB616 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB616
EJK7XCC-1
By Representative Wilcox
RFD: Commerce and Small Business
First Read: 12-Mar-26
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EJK7XCC-1 02/04/2026 ZAK (L)ZAK 2026-452
Page 1
First Read: 12-Mar-26
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, a licensed veterinarian may
not render veterinary medical services, including
prescribing drugs, without establishing a
veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
This bill would prohibit a licensed veterinarian
from refusing to provide a written prescription upon
request, subject to certain conditions.
This bill would require a licensed veterinarain
to disclose that a client may request a written
prescription before dispensing a prescription
medication.
This bill would also require all veterinary
facilities to post a conspicuous sign notifying the
public of the fact that a client may request a written
prescription from his or her veterinarian.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to veterinary medicine; to add Section
34-29-77.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to prohibit licensed
veterinarians from refusing to provide written prescriptions
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HB616 INTRODUCED
Page 2
veterinarians from refusing to provide written prescriptions
upon request, subject to conditions; to require licensed
veterinarians to disclose certain information prior to
dispensing medications; and to require veterinary facilities
to post signage stating that clients may request written
prescriptions from his or her veterinarian .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) For purposes of this section, the term
"written prescription" includes paper prescriptions via manual
transmission and electronic prescriptions via direct
transmission to a pharmacy.
(b) A licensed veterinarian may not refuse to provide a
written prescription to a client upon the client's request to
do so if:
(1) In the licensed veterinarian's medical opinion, the
prescription medication is medically safe for in-home
administration by the owner; and
(2) A valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship
exists.
(c) Before dispensing a prescription medication, a
licensed veterinarian, or an authorized member of the
veterinary staff, shall clearly inform a client that:
(1) The client may request to receive a written
prescription for the medication that may be filled at a
pharmacy of the client's choice; and
(2) If the veterinary facility is able to fill the
prescription, the client may have the prescription filled at
the facility.
(d) All veterinary facilities shall post a clear and
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HB616 INTRODUCED
Page 3
(d) All veterinary facilities shall post a clear and
conspicuous sign near the primary public entrance or at the
primary point of sale or checkout that substantially states
the following:
"UNDER ALABAMA LAW, A VETERINARY CLIENT MAY RECEIVE A
WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION FROM HIS OR HER VETERINARIAN UPON REQUEST
THAT MAY BE FILLED BY A PHARMACY OF HIS OR HER CHOOSING."
(e) This section does not apply if:
(1) In the determination of a licensed veterinarian,
immediate dispensing of medication is necessary to preserve
the life or prevent the suffering of a patient; or
(2) The prescription is for a medication for which
dispensing is restricted by federal or state law.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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