{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-3301.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-3301.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-3301.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-3301.html"}],"law_id":55719,"edition_id":1,"section_id":55719,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3301","catch_line":"Exceptions","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 54-481; 1966, c. 171; 1968, c. 582, \u00a7 54-524.53; 1970, c. 650, \u00a7 54-524.54; 1972, c. 798; 1988, cc. 765, 904; 1989, c. 510; 1998, c. 101; 1999, cc. 745, 750; 2000, c. 924; 2001, c. 465; 2002, cc. 666, 707, 740; 2003, c. 794; 2008, c. 674; 2009, cc. 101, 353, 761; 2012, c. 213; 2014, c. 147; 2018, cc. 100, 776; 2023, c. 183; 2025, cc. 391, 408.","full_text":"This chapter shall not be construed to:\n\n1\n\nInterfere with any legally qualified practitioner of dentistry, or veterinary medicine or any physician acting on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health or local health departments, in the compounding of his prescriptions or the purchase and possession of drugs as he may require;2\n\nPrevent any legally qualified practitioner of dentistry, or veterinary medicine or any prescriber, as defined in § 54.1-3401, acting on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health or local health departments, from administering or supplying to his patients the medicines that he deems proper under the conditions of § 54.1-3303 or from causing drugs to be administered or dispensed pursuant to §§ 32.1-42.1 and 54.1-3408, except that a veterinarian shall only be authorized to dispense a compounded drug, distributed from a pharmacy, when (i) the animal is his own patient, (ii) the animal is a companion animal as defined in regulations promulgated by the Board of Veterinary Medicine, (iii) the quantity dispensed is no more than a seven-day supply, (iv) the compounded drug is for the treatment of an emergency condition, and (v) timely access to a compounding pharmacy is not available, as determined by the prescribing veterinarian;3\n\nProhibit the sale by merchants and retail dealers of proprietary medicines as defined in Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of this title;4\n\nPrevent the operation of automated drug dispensing systems in hospitals pursuant to Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of this title;5\n\nProhibit the employment of ancillary personnel to assist a pharmacist as provided in the regulations of the Board;6\n\nInterfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry from purchasing, possessing or administering controlled substances to his own patients or providing controlled substances to his own patients in a bona fide medical emergency or providing manufacturers’ professional samples to his own patients;7\n\nInterfere with any legally qualified practitioner of optometry, certified or licensed to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, from purchasing, possessing or administering those controlled substances as specified in § 54.1-3221 or interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of optometry certified to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents from purchasing, possessing, or administering to his own patients those controlled substances as specified in § 54.1-3222 , providing manufacturers’ samples of these drugs to his own patients, or dispensing, administering, or selling ophthalmic devices as authorized in § 54.1-3204;8\n\nInterfere with any physician assistant with prescriptive authority receiving and dispensing to his own patients manufacturers’ professional samples of controlled substances and devices that he is authorized, in compliance with the provisions of § 54.1-2952.1, to prescribe according to his practice setting and a written agreement with a physician or podiatrist;9\n\nInterfere with any licensed advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority receiving and dispensing to his own patients manufacturers’ professional samples of controlled substances and devices that he is authorized, in compliance with the provisions of § 54.1-2957.01, to prescribe;10\n\nInterfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine or osteopathy participating in an indigent patient program offered by a pharmaceutical manufacturer in which the practitioner sends a prescription for one of his own patients to the manufacturer, and the manufacturer donates a stock bottle of the prescription drug ordered at no cost to the practitioner or patient. The practitioner may dispense such medication at no cost to the patient without holding a license to dispense from the Board of Pharmacy. However, the container in which the drug is dispensed shall be labeled in accordance with the requirements of § 54.1-3410, and, unless directed otherwise by the practitioner or the patient, shall meet standards for special packaging as set forth in § 54.1-3426 and Board of Pharmacy regulations. In lieu of dispensing directly to the patient, a practitioner may transfer the donated drug with a valid prescription to a pharmacy for dispensing to the patient. The practitioner or pharmacy participating in the program shall not use the donated drug for any purpose other than dispensing to the patient for whom it was originally donated, except as authorized by the donating manufacturer for another patient meeting that manufacturer’s requirements for the indigent patient program. Neither the practitioner nor the pharmacy shall charge the patient for any medication provided through a manufacturer’s indigent patient program pursuant to this subdivision. A participating pharmacy, including a pharmacy participating in bulk donation programs, may charge a reasonable dispensing or administrative fee to offset the cost of dispensing, not to exceed the actual costs of such dispensing. However, if the patient is unable to pay such fee, the dispensing or administrative fee shall be waived;11\n\nInterfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine or osteopathy from providing controlled substances to his own patients in a free clinic without charge when such controlled substances are donated by an entity other than a pharmaceutical manufacturer as authorized by subdivision 10. The practitioner shall first obtain a controlled substances registration from the Board and shall comply with the labeling and packaging requirements of this chapter and the Board’s regulations; or12\n\nPrevent any pharmacist from providing free health care to an underserved population in Virginia who (i) does not regularly practice pharmacy in Virginia, (ii) holds a current valid license or certificate to practice pharmacy in another state, territory, district or possession of the United States, (iii) volunteers to provide free health care to an underserved area of this Commonwealth under the auspices of a publicly supported all volunteer, nonprofit organization that sponsors the provision of health care to populations of underserved people, (iv) files a copy of the license or certificate issued in such other jurisdiction with the Board, (v) notifies the Board at least five business days prior to the voluntary provision of services of the dates and location of such service, and (vi) acknowledges, in writing, that such licensure exemption shall only be valid, in compliance with the Board’s regulations, during the limited period that such free health care is made available through the volunteer, nonprofit organization on the dates and at the location filed with the Board. The Board may deny the right to practice in Virginia to any pharmacist whose license has been previously suspended or revoked, who has been convicted of a felony or who is otherwise found to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations. However, the Board shall allow a pharmacist who meets the above criteria to provide volunteer services without prior notice for a period of up to three days, provided the nonprofit organization verifies that the practitioner has a valid, unrestricted license in another state.\n\t\t\tThis section shall not be construed as exempting any person from the licensure, registration, permitting and record keeping requirements of this chapter or Chapter 34 of this title.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":204224,"text":"This chapter shall not be construed to:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":204225,"text":"Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of dentistry, or veterinary medicine or any physician acting on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health or local health departments, in the compounding of his prescriptions or the purchase and possession of drugs as he may require;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":204226,"text":"Prevent any legally qualified practitioner of dentistry, or veterinary medicine or any prescriber, as defined in § 54.1-3401, acting on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health or local health departments, from administering or supplying to his patients the medicines that he deems proper under the conditions of § 54.1-3303 or from causing drugs to be administered or dispensed pursuant to §§ 32.1-42.1 and 54.1-3408, except that a veterinarian shall only be authorized to dispense a compounded drug, distributed from a pharmacy, when (i) the animal is his own patient, (ii) the animal is a companion animal as defined in regulations promulgated by the Board of Veterinary Medicine, (iii) the quantity dispensed is no more than a seven-day supply, (iv) the compounded drug is for the treatment of an emergency condition, and (v) timely access to a compounding pharmacy is not available, as determined by the prescribing veterinarian;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":204227,"text":"Prohibit the sale by merchants and retail dealers of proprietary medicines as defined in Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of this title;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":204228,"text":"Prevent the operation of automated drug dispensing systems in hospitals pursuant to Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of this title;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":204229,"text":"Prohibit the employment of ancillary personnel to assist a pharmacist as provided in the regulations of the Board;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":204230,"text":"Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry from purchasing, possessing or administering controlled substances to his own patients or providing controlled substances to his own patients in a bona fide medical emergency or providing manufacturers’ professional samples to his own patients;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":204231,"text":"Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of optometry, certified or licensed to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, from purchasing, possessing or administering those controlled substances as specified in § 54.1-3221 or interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of optometry certified to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents from purchasing, possessing, or administering to his own patients those controlled substances as specified in § 54.1-3222 , providing manufacturers’ samples of these drugs to his own patients, or dispensing, administering, or selling ophthalmic devices as authorized in § 54.1-3204;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":204232,"text":"Interfere with any physician assistant with prescriptive authority receiving and dispensing to his own patients manufacturers’ professional samples of controlled substances and devices that he is authorized, in compliance with the provisions of § 54.1-2952.1, to prescribe according to his practice setting and a written agreement with a physician or podiatrist;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":204233,"text":"Interfere with any licensed advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority receiving and dispensing to his own patients manufacturers’ professional samples of controlled substances and devices that he is authorized, in compliance with the provisions of § 54.1-2957.01, to prescribe;","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":204234,"text":"Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine or osteopathy participating in an indigent patient program offered by a pharmaceutical manufacturer in which the practitioner sends a prescription for one of his own patients to the manufacturer, and the manufacturer donates a stock bottle of the prescription drug ordered at no cost to the practitioner or patient. The practitioner may dispense such medication at no cost to the patient without holding a license to dispense from the Board of Pharmacy. However, the container in which the drug is dispensed shall be labeled in accordance with the requirements of § 54.1-3410, and, unless directed otherwise by the practitioner or the patient, shall meet standards for special packaging as set forth in § 54.1-3426 and Board of Pharmacy regulations. In lieu of dispensing directly to the patient, a practitioner may transfer the donated drug with a valid prescription to a pharmacy for dispensing to the patient. The practitioner or pharmacy participating in the program shall not use the donated drug for any purpose other than dispensing to the patient for whom it was originally donated, except as authorized by the donating manufacturer for another patient meeting that manufacturer’s requirements for the indigent patient program. Neither the practitioner nor the pharmacy shall charge the patient for any medication provided through a manufacturer’s indigent patient program pursuant to this subdivision. A participating pharmacy, including a pharmacy participating in bulk donation programs, may charge a reasonable dispensing or administrative fee to offset the cost of dispensing, not to exceed the actual costs of such dispensing. However, if the patient is unable to pay such fee, the dispensing or administrative fee shall be waived;","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":204235,"text":"Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine or osteopathy from providing controlled substances to his own patients in a free clinic without charge when such controlled substances are donated by an entity other than a pharmaceutical manufacturer as authorized by subdivision 10. The practitioner shall first obtain a controlled substances registration from the Board and shall comply with the labeling and packaging requirements of this chapter and the Board’s regulations; or","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":204236,"text":"Prevent any pharmacist from providing free health care to an underserved population in Virginia who (i) does not regularly practice pharmacy in Virginia, (ii) holds a current valid license or certificate to practice pharmacy in another state, territory, district or possession of the United States, (iii) volunteers to provide free health care to an underserved area of this Commonwealth under the auspices of a publicly supported all volunteer, nonprofit organization that sponsors the provision of health care to populations of underserved people, (iv) files a copy of the license or certificate issued in such other jurisdiction with the Board, (v) notifies the Board at least five business days prior to the voluntary provision of services of the dates and location of such service, and (vi) acknowledges, in writing, that such licensure exemption shall only be valid, in compliance with the Board’s regulations, during the limited period that such free health care is made available through the volunteer, nonprofit organization on the dates and at the location filed with the Board. The Board may deny the right to practice in Virginia to any pharmacist whose license has been previously suspended or revoked, who has been convicted of a felony or who is otherwise found to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations. However, the Board shall allow a pharmacist who meets the above criteria to provide volunteer services without prior notice for a period of up to three days, provided the nonprofit organization verifies that the practitioner has a valid, unrestricted license in another state.\n\t\t\tThis section shall not be construed as exempting any person from the licensure, registration, permitting and record keeping requirements of this chapter or Chapter 34 of this title.","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14382,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13496,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:57","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:57","permalink":{"id":243095,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14382,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1","url":"\/54.1\/III\/33\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13496,"edition_id":1,"name":"Pharmacy","identifier":"33","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","permalink":{"id":243093,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13496,"identifier":"33","token":"54.1\/III\/33","url":"\/54.1\/III\/33\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":72064,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3300","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-3300\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3300","metadata":false},{"id":77902,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3300.1","catch_line":"Participation in collaborative agreements; regulations to be promulgated by the Boards of Medicine and Pharmacy","url":"\/54.1-3300.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3300.1","metadata":false},{"id":55719,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3301","catch_line":"Exceptions","url":"\/54.1-3301\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3301","metadata":false},{"id":68342,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3302","catch_line":"Restrictions on practitioners of the healing arts","url":"\/54.1-3302\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3302","metadata":false},{"id":85347,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3303","catch_line":"Prescriptions to be issued and drugs to be dispensed for medical or therapeutic purposes only","url":"\/54.1-3303\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3303","metadata":false},{"id":86967,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3303.1","catch_line":"Initiating of treatment with and dispensing and administering of controlled substances by pharmacists","url":"\/54.1-3303.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3303.1","metadata":false},{"id":58623,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3304","catch_line":"Licensing of physicians to dispense drugs; renewals","url":"\/54.1-3304\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3304","metadata":false},{"id":68921,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3304.1","catch_line":"Authority to license and regulate practitioners; permits","url":"\/54.1-3304.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3304.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77902,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3300.1","catch_line":"Participation in collaborative agreements; regulations to be promulgated by the Boards of Medicine and Pharmacy","url":"\/54.1-3300.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3300.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68342,"structure_id":14382,"section_number":"54.1-3302","catch_line":"Restrictions on practitioners of the healing arts","url":"\/54.1-3302\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3302","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-3301\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 19 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1966, chapter 171; in 1968, chapter 582; in 1970, chapter 650; in 1972, chapter 798; in 1988, chapters 765 and 904; in 1989, chapter 510; in 1998, chapter 101<\/a>; in 1999, chapters 745<\/a> and 750<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 924<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 465<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 666<\/a>, 707<\/a>, and 740<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 794<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 674<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 101<\/a>, 353<\/a>, and 761<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 213<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 147<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 100<\/a> and 776<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 183<\/a>; in 2025, chapters 391<\/a> and 408<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":84268,"section_number":"54.1-3410.2","catch_line":"Compounding; pharmacists' authority to compound under certain conditions; labeling and record maintenance requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3410.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":66908,"section_number":"32.1-42.1","catch_line":"Administration and dispensing of necessary drugs, devices and vaccines during a declared disaster or emergency","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-42.1\/"},{"id":70057,"section_number":"54.1-2952.1","catch_line":"Prescription of certain controlled substances and devices by licensed physician assistants","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2952.1\/"},{"id":71447,"section_number":"54.1-2957.01","catch_line":"Prescription of certain controlled substances and devices by licensed advanced practice registered nurses","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2957.01\/"},{"id":73693,"section_number":"54.1-3204","catch_line":"Prohibited acts","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3204\/"},{"id":81567,"section_number":"54.1-3221","catch_line":"\"Diagnostic pharmaceutical agents\" defined; utilization; acquisition","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3221\/"},{"id":54127,"section_number":"54.1-3222","catch_line":"TPA certification; certification for treatment of diseases or abnormal conditions with therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (TPAs)","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3222\/"},{"id":85347,"section_number":"54.1-3303","catch_line":"Prescriptions to be issued and drugs to be dispensed for medical or therapeutic purposes only","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3303\/"},{"id":77846,"section_number":"54.1-3400","catch_line":"Citation","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3400\/"},{"id":59669,"section_number":"54.1-3401","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3401\/"},{"id":77665,"section_number":"54.1-3408","catch_line":"Professional use by practitioners","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3408\/"},{"id":83740,"section_number":"54.1-3410","catch_line":"When pharmacist may sell and dispense drugs","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3410\/"},{"id":86762,"section_number":"54.1-3426","catch_line":"Regulations for special packaging","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3426\/"}],"permalink":{"id":243105,"object_type":"law","relational_id":55719,"identifier":"54.1-3301","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3301","url":"\/54.1-3301\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-3301\/","token":"54.1\/III\/33\/1\/54.1-3301","dublin_core":{"Title":"Exceptions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-3301","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

This chapter shall not be construed to:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of dentistry, or veterinary medicine or any physician acting on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health or local health departments, in the compounding of his prescriptions or the purchase and possession<\/span> of drugs as he may require; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Prevent any legally qualified practitioner of dentistry, or veterinary medicine or any prescriber, as defined in § 54.1-3401<\/a>, acting on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health or local health departments, from administering or supplying to his patients the medicines that he deems proper under the conditions of § 54.1-3303<\/a> or from causing drugs to be administered or dispensed pursuant to §§ 32.1-42.1<\/a> and 54.1-3408<\/a>, except that a veterinarian shall only be authorized to dispense<\/span> a compounded drug, distributed from a pharmacy<\/span>, when (i) the animal is his own patient, (ii) the animal is a companion animal as defined in regulations promulgated by the Board<\/span> of Veterinary Medicine, (iii) the quantity dispensed is no more than a seven-day supply, (iv) the compounded drug is for the treatment of an emergency condition, and (v) timely access to a compounding pharmacy<\/span> is not available, as determined by the prescribing veterinarian; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Prohibit the sale by merchants and retail dealers of proprietary medicines as defined in Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400<\/a> et seq.) of this title; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Prevent the operation of automated drug dispensing systems in hospitals pursuant to Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400<\/a> et seq.) of this title; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Prohibit the employment of ancillary personnel to assist a pharmacist<\/span> as provided in the regulations of the Board<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry from purchasing, possessing or administering controlled substances to his own patients or providing controlled substances to his own patients in a bona fide medical emergency or providing manufacturers’ professional samples to his own patients; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of optometry, certified or licensed to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, from purchasing, possessing or administering those controlled substances as specified in § 54.1-3221<\/a> or interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of optometry certified to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents from purchasing, possessing, or administering to his own patients those controlled substances as specified in § 54.1-3222<\/a> , providing manufacturers’ samples of these drugs to his own patients, or dispensing, administering, or selling ophthalmic devices as authorized in § 54.1-3204<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Interfere with any physician assistant with prescriptive authority receiving and dispensing to his own patients manufacturers’ professional samples of controlled substances and devices that he is authorized, in compliance with the provisions of § 54.1-2952.1<\/a>, to prescribe according to his practice setting and a written agreement with a physician or podiatrist; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Interfere with any licensed advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority receiving and dispensing to his own patients manufacturers’ professional samples of controlled substances and devices that he is authorized, in compliance with the provisions of § 54.1-2957.01<\/a>, to prescribe; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine or osteopathy participating in an indigent<\/span> patient program offered by a pharmaceutical manufacturer in which the practitioner sends a prescription for one of his own patients to the manufacturer, and the manufacturer donates a stock bottle of the prescription drug ordered at no cost to the practitioner or patient. The practitioner may dispense<\/span> such medication at no cost to the patient without holding a license to dispense<\/span> from the Board<\/span> of Pharmacy<\/span>. However, the container in which the drug is dispensed shall be labeled in accordance with the requirements of § 54.1-3410<\/a>, and, unless directed otherwise by the practitioner or the patient, shall meet standards for special packaging as set forth in § 54.1-3426<\/a> and Board<\/span> of Pharmacy<\/span> regulations. In lieu of dispensing directly to the patient, a practitioner may transfer the donated drug with a valid prescription to a pharmacy<\/span> for dispensing to the patient. The practitioner or pharmacy<\/span> participating in the program shall not use the donated drug for any purpose other than dispensing to the patient for whom it was originally donated, except as authorized by the donating manufacturer for another patient meeting that manufacturer’s requirements for the indigent<\/span> patient program. Neither the practitioner nor the pharmacy<\/span> shall charge the patient for any medication provided through a manufacturer’s indigent<\/span> patient program pursuant to this subdivision. A participating pharmacy<\/span>, including a pharmacy<\/span> participating in bulk donation programs, may charge a reasonable dispensing or administrative fee to offset the cost of dispensing, not to exceed the actual costs of such dispensing. However, if the patient is unable to pay such fee, the dispensing or administrative fee shall be waived; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine or osteopathy from providing controlled substances to his own patients in a free clinic without charge when such controlled substances are donated by an entity other than a pharmaceutical manufacturer as authorized by subdivision 10. The practitioner shall first obtain a controlled substances registration from the Board<\/span> and shall comply with the labeling and packaging requirements of this chapter and the Board<\/span>’s regulations; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Prevent any pharmacist<\/span> from providing free health care to an underserved population in Virginia who (i) does not regularly practice pharmacy<\/span> in Virginia, (ii) holds a current valid license or certificate to practice pharmacy<\/span> in another state, territory, district or possession<\/span> of the United States, (iii) volunteers to provide free health care to an underserved area of this Commonwealth under the auspices of a publicly supported all volunteer, nonprofit organization that sponsors the provision of health care to populations of underserved people, (iv) files a copy of the license or certificate issued in such other jurisdiction<\/span> with the Board<\/span>, (v) notifies the Board<\/span> at least five business days prior to the voluntary provision of services of the dates and location of such service, and (vi) acknowledges, in writing, that such licensure exemption shall only be valid, in compliance with the Board<\/span>’s regulations, during the limited period that such free health care is made available through the volunteer, nonprofit organization on the dates and at the location filed with the Board<\/span>. The Board<\/span> may deny the right to practice in Virginia to any pharmacist<\/span> whose license has been previously suspended or revoked, who has been convicted of a felony<\/span> or who is otherwise found to be in violation of applicable laws<\/span> or regulations. However, the Board<\/span> shall allow a pharmacist<\/span> who meets the above criteria to provide volunteer services without prior notice for a period of up to three days, provided the nonprofit organization verifies that the practitioner has a valid, unrestricted license in another state.\n\t\t\tThis section shall not be construed as exempting any person from the licensure, registration, permitting and record keeping requirements of this chapter or Chapter 34 of this title. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXCEPTIONS (\u00a7 54.1-3301)\n\nThis chapter shall not be construed to:\n\n1. Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of dentistry, or veterinary\nmedicine or any physician acting on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health\nor local health departments, in the compounding of his prescriptions or the\npurchase and possession of drugs as he may require;\n\n2. Prevent any legally qualified practitioner of dentistry, or veterinary\nmedicine or any prescriber, as defined in § 54.1-3401, acting on behalf of\nthe Virginia Department of Health or local health departments, from\nadministering or supplying to his patients the medicines that he deems proper\nunder the conditions of § 54.1-3303 or from causing drugs to be\nadministered or dispensed pursuant to §§ 32.1-42.1 and 54.1-3408,\nexcept that a veterinarian shall only be authorized to dispense a compounded\ndrug, distributed from a pharmacy, when (i) the animal is his own patient, (ii)\nthe animal is a companion animal as defined in regulations promulgated by the\nBoard of Veterinary Medicine, (iii) the quantity dispensed is no more than a\nseven-day supply, (iv) the compounded drug is for the treatment of an emergency\ncondition, and (v) timely access to a compounding pharmacy is not available, as\ndetermined by the prescribing veterinarian;\n\n3. Prohibit the sale by merchants and retail dealers of proprietary medicines as\ndefined in Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of this title;\n\n4. Prevent the operation of automated drug dispensing systems in hospitals\npursuant to Chapter 34 (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) of this title;\n\n5. Prohibit the employment of ancillary personnel to assist a pharmacist as\nprovided in the regulations of the Board;\n\n6. Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine, osteopathy, or\npodiatry from purchasing, possessing or administering controlled substances to\nhis own patients or providing controlled substances to his own patients in a\nbona fide medical emergency or providing manufacturers’ professional\nsamples to his own patients;\n\n7. Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of optometry, certified or\nlicensed to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, from purchasing, possessing or\nadministering those controlled substances as specified in § 54.1-3221 or\ninterfere with any legally qualified practitioner of optometry certified to\nprescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents from purchasing, possessing, or\nadministering to his own patients those controlled substances as specified in\n§ 54.1-3222 , providing manufacturers’ samples of these drugs to his\nown patients, or dispensing, administering, or selling ophthalmic devices as\nauthorized in § 54.1-3204;\n\n8. Interfere with any physician assistant with prescriptive authority receiving\nand dispensing to his own patients manufacturers’ professional samples of\ncontrolled substances and devices that he is authorized, in compliance with the\nprovisions of § 54.1-2952.1, to prescribe according to his practice setting\nand a written agreement with a physician or podiatrist;\n\n9. Interfere with any licensed advanced practice registered nurse with\nprescriptive authority receiving and dispensing to his own patients\nmanufacturers’ professional samples of controlled substances and devices\nthat he is authorized, in compliance with the provisions of § 54.1-2957.01,\nto prescribe;\n\n10. Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine or osteopathy\nparticipating in an indigent patient program offered by a pharmaceutical\nmanufacturer in which the practitioner sends a prescription for one of his own\npatients to the manufacturer, and the manufacturer donates a stock bottle of the\nprescription drug ordered at no cost to the practitioner or patient. The\npractitioner may dispense such medication at no cost to the patient without\nholding a license to dispense from the Board of Pharmacy. However, the container\nin which the drug is dispensed shall be labeled in accordance with the\nrequirements of § 54.1-3410, and, unless directed otherwise by the\npractitioner or the patient, shall meet standards for special packaging as set\nforth in § 54.1-3426 and Board of Pharmacy regulations. In lieu of\ndispensing directly to the patient, a practitioner may transfer the donated drug\nwith a valid prescription to a pharmacy for dispensing to the patient. The\npractitioner or pharmacy participating in the program shall not use the donated\ndrug for any purpose other than dispensing to the patient for whom it was\noriginally donated, except as authorized by the donating manufacturer for\nanother patient meeting that manufacturer’s requirements for the indigent\npatient program. Neither the practitioner nor the pharmacy shall charge the\npatient for any medication provided through a manufacturer’s indigent\npatient program pursuant to this subdivision. A participating pharmacy,\nincluding a pharmacy participating in bulk donation programs, may charge a\nreasonable dispensing or administrative fee to offset the cost of dispensing,\nnot to exceed the actual costs of such dispensing. However, if the patient is\nunable to pay such fee, the dispensing or administrative fee shall be waived;\n\n11. Interfere with any legally qualified practitioner of medicine or osteopathy\nfrom providing controlled substances to his own patients in a free clinic\nwithout charge when such controlled substances are donated by an entity other\nthan a pharmaceutical manufacturer as authorized by subdivision 10. The\npractitioner shall first obtain a controlled substances registration from the\nBoard and shall comply with the labeling and packaging requirements of this\nchapter and the Board’s regulations; or\n\n12. Prevent any pharmacist from providing free health care to an underserved\npopulation in Virginia who (i) does not regularly practice pharmacy in Virginia,\n(ii) holds a current valid license or certificate to practice pharmacy in\nanother state, territory, district or possession of the United States, (iii)\nvolunteers to provide free health care to an underserved area of this\nCommonwealth under the auspices of a publicly supported all volunteer, nonprofit\norganization that sponsors the provision of health care to populations of\nunderserved people, (iv) files a copy of the license or certificate issued in\nsuch other jurisdiction with the Board, (v) notifies the Board at least five\nbusiness days prior to the voluntary provision of services of the dates and\nlocation of such service, and (vi) acknowledges, in writing, that such licensure\nexemption shall only be valid, in compliance with the Board’s regulations,\nduring the limited period that such free health care is made available through\nthe volunteer, nonprofit organization on the dates and at the location filed\nwith the Board. The Board may deny the right to practice in Virginia to any\npharmacist whose license has been previously suspended or revoked, who has been\nconvicted of a felony or who is otherwise found to be in violation of applicable\nlaws or regulations. However, the Board shall allow a pharmacist who meets the\nabove criteria to provide volunteer services without prior notice for a period\nof up to three days, provided the nonprofit organization verifies that the\npractitioner has a valid, unrestricted license in another state.\n\t\t\tThis section shall not be construed as exempting any person from the\nlicensure, registration, permitting and record keeping requirements of this\nchapter or Chapter 34 of this title.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 54-481; 1966, c. 171; 1968, c. 582, \u00a7 54-524.53; 1970,\nc. 650, \u00a7 54-524.54; 1972, c. 798; 1988, cc. 765, 904; 1989, c. 510; 1998, c.\n101; 1999, cc. 745, 750; 2000, c. 924; 2001, c. 465; 2002, cc. 666, 707, 740;\n2003, c. 794; 2008, c. 674; 2009, cc. 101, 353, 761; 2012, c. 213; 2014, c. 147;\n2018, cc. 100, 776; 2023, c. 183; 2025, cc. 391, 408.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}