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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>83286</law_id><section_number>54.1-3457</section_number><catch_line>Prohibited acts</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-3458</reference><reference>54.1-3459</reference><reference>65.2-603.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="34">Drug Control Act</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="6">Misbranded and Adulterated Drugs and Cosmetics</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The following acts shall be prohibited:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The <span class="dictionary">manufacture</span>, <span class="dictionary">sale</span>, <span class="dictionary">delivery</span>, holding, or offering for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> of any <span class="dictionary">drug</span>, <span class="dictionary">device</span>, or cosmetic that is adulterated or misbranded. <a id="paragraph-298418" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The adulteration or misbranding of any <span class="dictionary">drug</span>, <span class="dictionary">device</span>, or cosmetic. <a id="paragraph-298419" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The receipt in commerce of any <span class="dictionary">drug</span>, <span class="dictionary">device</span>, or cosmetic that is adulterated or misbranded, and the <span class="dictionary">delivery</span> or proffered <span class="dictionary">delivery</span> thereof for pay or otherwise. <a id="paragraph-298420" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The <span class="dictionary">sale</span>, <span class="dictionary">delivery</span> for <span class="dictionary">sale</span>, holding for <span class="dictionary">sale</span>, or offering for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> of any article in violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="New drugs" href="/54.1-3421/">54.1-3421</a>. <a id="paragraph-298421" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> The dissemination of any false <span class="dictionary">advertisement</span>. <a id="paragraph-298422" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> The refusal to permit entry or inspection, or to permit the taking of a sample, or to permit access to or copying of any record. <a id="paragraph-298423" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> The giving of a false guaranty or undertaking. <a id="paragraph-298424" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> The removal or disposal of a detained article in violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Tagging of adulterated or misbranded drugs, devices, or cosmetics; condemnation; destruction; expenses" href="/54.1-3459/">54.1-3459</a>. <a id="paragraph-298425" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> The alteration, mutilation, destruction, obliteration, or removal of the whole or any part of the <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> of, or the doing of any other act with respect to, a <span class="dictionary">drug</span>, <span class="dictionary">device</span>, or cosmetic, if such act is done while such article is held for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> and results in such article being adulterated or misbranded. <a id="paragraph-298426" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> The forging, counterfeiting, simulating, or falsely representing, or without proper authority using of any mark, stamp, tag, <span class="dictionary">label</span>, or other identification <span class="dictionary">device</span> authorized or required by regulations promulgated under the provisions of this chapter or of the federal act. <a id="paragraph-298427" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> The using by any <span class="dictionary">person</span> to his own advantage, or revealing, other than to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> or its authorized representative or to the <span class="dictionary">courts</span> when relevant in any judicial proceeding under this chapter of any information acquired under authority of this chapter concerning any method or process which as a trade secret is entitled to protection. <a id="paragraph-298428" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> The using, on the <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> of any <span class="dictionary">drug</span> or in any <span class="dictionary">advertisement</span> relating to such <span class="dictionary">drug</span>, of any representation or suggestion that an application with respect to such <span class="dictionary">drug</span> is effective under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="New drugs" href="/54.1-3421/">54.1-3421</a>, or that such <span class="dictionary">drug</span> complies with the provisions of such section. <a id="paragraph-298429" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="13"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> In the case of a <span class="dictionary">drug</span> distributed or offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> in this Commonwealth, the failure of the <span class="dictionary">manufacturer</span>, packer, or <span class="dictionary">distributor</span> thereof to maintain for transmittal, or to transmit, to any <span class="dictionary">practitioner</span> licensed by applicable <span class="dictionary">law</span> to <span class="dictionary">administer</span> such <span class="dictionary">drug</span> who makes written request for information as to such <span class="dictionary">drug</span>, true and correct copies of all printed matter which is required to be included in any package in which that <span class="dictionary">drug</span> is distributed or sold, or such other printed matter as is approved under the federal act. This subdivision shall not be construed to exempt any <span class="dictionary">person</span> from any <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> requirement imposed by or under other provisions of this chapter. <a id="paragraph-298430" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="14"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Placing or causing to be placed upon any <span class="dictionary">drug</span> or <span class="dictionary">device</span> or container, with <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to defraud, the trade name or other identifying mark, or imprint of another or any likeness of any of the foregoing; or selling, <span class="dictionary">dispensing</span>, disposing of, or causing to be sold, dispensed, or disposed of, or concealing or keeping in <span class="dictionary">possession</span>, control, or <span class="dictionary">custody</span>, with <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to sell, <span class="dictionary">dispense</span>, or dispose of, any <span class="dictionary">drug</span>, <span class="dictionary">device</span>, or any container thereof, with knowledge that the trade name or other identifying mark or imprint of another or any likeness of any of the foregoing has been placed thereon in a manner prohibited by this section or making, selling, disposing of, or causing to be made, sold, or disposed of, or keeping in <span class="dictionary">possession</span>, control, or <span class="dictionary">custody</span>, or concealing any punch, die, plate, stone, or other thing designed to print, imprint, or reproduce the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, or <span class="dictionary">device</span> of another or any likeness of any of the foregoing upon any <span class="dictionary">drug</span> or container or <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> thereof so as to render such <span class="dictionary">drug</span> a counterfeit <span class="dictionary">drug</span>. <a id="paragraph-298431" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="15"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> The doing of any act that causes a <span class="dictionary">drug</span> to be a counterfeit <span class="dictionary">drug</span>, or the <span class="dictionary">sale</span> or <span class="dictionary">dispensing</span>, or the holding for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> or <span class="dictionary">dispensing</span>, of a counterfeit <span class="dictionary">drug</span>. <a id="paragraph-298432" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="16"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> <span class="dictionary">Dispensing</span> or causing to be dispensed a different <span class="dictionary">drug</span> or brand of <span class="dictionary">drug</span> in place of the <span class="dictionary">drug</span> or brand of <span class="dictionary">drug</span> ordered or prescribed without the permission of the <span class="dictionary">person</span> ordering or prescribing, except as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Dispensing of therapeutically equivalent drug product permitted" href="/54.1-3408.03/">54.1-3408.03</a> relating to <span class="dictionary">dispensing</span> of therapeutically equivalent <span class="dictionary">drugs</span>. <a id="paragraph-298433" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="17"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> <span class="dictionary">Dispensing</span> or causing to be dispensed a <span class="dictionary">biosimilar</span> in place of a prescribed <span class="dictionary">biological product</span> or brand of <span class="dictionary">biological product</span>, except as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Dispensing of interchangeable biosimilars permitted" href="/54.1-3408.04/">54.1-3408.04</a> related to <span class="dictionary">dispensing</span> of <span class="dictionary">interchangeable</span> <span class="dictionary">biosimilars</span>. <a id="paragraph-298434" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3457/#17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1970, c. 650, &#xA7; 54-524.85; 1988, c. 765; 2003, c. 639; 2013, cc. 412, 544.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
