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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>75409</law_id><section_number>54.1-3462</section_number><catch_line>Misbranded drug or device</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-3463</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>A <span class="dictionary">drug</span> or <span class="dictionary">device</span> shall be deemed to be misbranded:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> If its <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> is false or misleading in any particular. <a id="paragraph-270700" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> If its package does not bear a <span class="dictionary">label</span> containing the name and place of business of the <span class="dictionary">manufacturer</span>, packer, or <span class="dictionary">distributor</span>. However, all <span class="dictionary">prescription drugs</span> intended for human use and <span class="dictionary">devices</span> shall bear a <span class="dictionary">label</span> containing the name and place of business of the <span class="dictionary">manufacturer</span> of the final dosage form of the <span class="dictionary">drug</span> and, if different, the name and place of business of the packer or <span class="dictionary">distributor</span> and an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count. Reasonable variations shall be permitted, and exemptions for small packages shall be allowed in accordance with regulations of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-270701" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> If any word, statement, or other information required by or under authority of this chapter to appear on the <span class="dictionary">label</span> or <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> is not prominently placed with such conspicuousness, as compared with other words, statements, designs or <span class="dictionary">devices</span>, in the <span class="dictionary">labeling</span>, and in such terms as to render it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase and use. <a id="paragraph-270702" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> If it is for use by man and contains any quantity of the narcotic or hypnotic substances alpha-eucaine, barbituric acid, beta-eucaine, bromal, carbromal, chloral, coca, cocaine, codeine, morphine, opium, paraldehyde, or sulfonmethane, or any chemical derivative of such substances, which derivative, after investigation has been found to be and designated as, habit forming, by regulations issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> under this chapter, unless its <span class="dictionary">label</span> bears the name and quantity or proportion of such substance or derivative and in juxtaposition therewith the statement &#x201C;Warning &#x2014; May Be Habit Forming.&#x201D; <a id="paragraph-270703" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> If it is a drug, unless its <span class="dictionary">label</span> bears, to the exclusion of any other nonproprietary name, except the applicable systematic chemical name or the chemical formula, the established name of the drug, and in case it is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the established name and quantity of each active ingredient, including the kind and quantity or proportion of any alcohol, and the established name and quantity or proportion of any bromides, ether, chloroform, acetanilid, acetphenetidin, amidopyrine, antipyrine, atropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine, arsenic, digitalis, digitalis glucosides, mercury, ouabain, strophanthin, strychnine, thyroid, or any derivative or preparation of any such substances. However, the requirement for stating the quantity of the active ingredients, other than the quantity of those specifically named in this subdivision, shall apply only to <span class="dictionary">prescription drugs</span>. Any <span class="dictionary">prescription drug</span> shall have the established name of the drug or ingredient printed on its <span class="dictionary">label</span> prominently and in type at least half as large as that used for any proprietary name or designation for such drug or ingredient. Exemptions may be allowed under regulations of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>.
			As used in this subdivision, the term &#x201C;established name,&#x201D; with respect to a drug or ingredient, means the applicable official name designated pursuant to &#xA7; 508 of the federal act, or if there is no such name and such drug, or such ingredient, is an article recognized in an <span class="dictionary">official compendium</span>, then the official title in such compendium or if neither exists, then the common or usual name, if any, of such drug or of such ingredient. Whenever, an article is recognized in the United States Pharmacopoeia National Formulary and in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia under different official titles, the official title used in the United States Pharmacopoeia National Formulary shall apply unless it is labeled and offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> as a homeopathic drug, in which case the official title used in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia shall apply. <a id="paragraph-270704" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Unless its <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> bears adequate directions for use and such adequate warnings against use in those pathological conditions or by children where its use may be dangerous to health, or against unsafe dosage or methods or duration of administration or application, in such manner and form, as are necessary for the protection of users. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall promulgate regulations exempting such drug or <span class="dictionary">device</span> from such requirements when these requirements are not necessary to protect the public health and the articles are also exempted under regulations issued under &#xA7; 502(f) of the federal act. <a id="paragraph-270705" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> If it purports to be a drug the name of which is recognized in an <span class="dictionary">official compendium</span>, unless it is packaged and labeled as prescribed. The method of packing may be modified with the consent of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, or if consent is obtained under the federal act. Whenever a drug is recognized in both the United States Pharmacopoeia National Formulary and the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, it shall be subject to the requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia National Formulary with respect to packaging and <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> unless it is labeled and offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> as a homeopathic drug, in which case it shall be subject to the provisions of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and not to those of the United States Pharmacopoeia National Formulary. However, in the event of inconsistency between the requirements of this subdivision and those of subdivision 5 as to the name by which the drug or its ingredients shall be designated, the requirements of subdivision 5 shall prevail. <a id="paragraph-270706" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> If it is dangerous to health when used in the dosage, or with the frequency or duration prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> or advertising. <a id="paragraph-270707" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> If it is, or purports to be, or is represented as a drug composed wholly or partly of insulin, unless it is from a batch for which a certificate or release has been issued pursuant to &#xA7; 506 of the federal act, and such certificate or release is in effect with respect to such drug. <a id="paragraph-270708" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> If it is, or purports to be, or is represented as a drug composed wholly or partly of any kind of penicillin, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, chloramphenicol, bacitracin, or any other <span class="dictionary">antibiotic drug</span>, or any derivative, unless it is from a batch, for which a certificate or release has been issued pursuant to &#xA7; 507 of the federal act, and such certificate or release is in effect for such drug. This subdivision shall not apply to any drug or class of drugs exempted by regulations promulgated under &#xA7; 507(c) or (d) of the federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>.
			For the purpose of this subdivision the term &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">antibiotic drug</span>&#x201D; means any drug intended for use by man containing any quantity of any chemical substance which is produced by microorganisms and which has the capacity to inhibit or destroy microorganisms in dilute solution, including, the chemically synthesized equivalent of any such substance. <a id="paragraph-270709" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> If it is a color additive, the intended use of which in or on drugs is for coloring only, unless its packaging and <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> are in conformity with such packaging and <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> requirements applicable to such color additive, prescribed under the provisions of the federal act. <a id="paragraph-270710" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> In the case of any <span class="dictionary">prescription drug</span> distributed or offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> in this Commonwealth, unless the <span class="dictionary">manufacturer</span>, packer, or <span class="dictionary">distributor</span> includes in all <span class="dictionary">advertisements</span> and other descriptive printed matter a true statement of (i) the established name, as defined in this section, printed prominently and in type at least half as large as that used for any trade or brand name, (ii) the formula showing quantitatively each ingredient of such drug to the extent required for <span class="dictionary">labels</span> under this section, and (iii) such other information in <span class="dictionary">brief</span> summary relating to side effects, contraindications, and effectiveness as are required in regulations issued under the federal act. <a id="paragraph-270711" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="13"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> If a trademark, trade name or other identifying mark, imprint or <span class="dictionary">device</span> of another or any likeness of the foregoing has been placed thereon or upon its container with <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to defraud.
			Drugs and <span class="dictionary">devices</span> which are, in accordance with the practice of the trade, to be processed, labeled or repacked in substantial quantities at establishments other than those where originally processed or packed shall be exempt from any <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> or packaging requirements of this chapter if such drugs and <span class="dictionary">devices</span> are being delivered, manufactured, processed, labeled, repacked or otherwise held in compliance with regulations issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-270712" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3462/#13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 54-463; 1958, c. 551; 1970, c. 650, &#xA7; 54-524.93; 1976, c. 644; 1988, c. 765.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
