Buoy’s Law
Under Senate Bill S1289B (Buoy’s Law), New York State veterinarians are required to provide pet medication information to owners when prescribing and/or dispensing a drug to a dog, cat, or rabbit for use outside of the veterinary clinic. Buoy’s Law came into effect on June 15, 2024, and is similar to California’s Lizzie’s Law that was passed in 2018.
Lizzy’s Law
While Lizzie’s Law is not a new idea in California, many aspects were taken from this legislation to help create Buoy’s Law in New York.
As of June 15, 2024, New York State Veterinarians are required to provide pet owners (or responsible parties) with a variety of information. As a part of the minimum requirements, pet owners must be provided with:
- The name and description of the medication
- The route of administration, dosage form, dosage, duration of drug therapy, the duration of the effects of the drug, and the common severe adverse effects associated with the drug
- Any special directions for proper use and storage
- Actions to be taken in the event of a missed dose
If requested and where available, a veterinarian shall provide documentation of precautions and relevant warnings provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
The client, or an agent designated by the client, shall decide whether the consultation be provided in person or through electronic means. It shall be noted in the medical record of the animal patient if the consultation described is provided or declined by the client or client’s agent.
Clinic HQ Suggestions
Create a Short Tag
Short tags are not only for ‘issues; or ‘observations.’ Using these tags will generate a ‘blurb’ that with generate to the external client communication. Here is a link on how to create these custom fields.
For example, utilizing Prescription Triggered Notes can be used for any prescription you write. For example, if you send your patient home with Trazodone and trigger the prescription, you can click ‘Generate’ in the Client Communication portion of the Surgery Tab. Doing so will generate the custom ‘blurb’ you have written that coincides with this prescription. You can add all information necessary that coincides with Buoy’s Law and Lizzie’s Law here so the owner can see it on their take-home paperwork.
Upload a New Template and Create an Automation
Another suggestion for an owner to receive all the information necessary is to upload a client handout for the drug they are taking home with their pet. To do so, go to ‘settings>templates>upload new template’.
Once your template is uploaded, you can print, email, or text the template to the owner by creating an automation. Here? q=automation is a link on how to create an automation.
