As 2025 draws to a close, we wanted to share critical updates on the legislative front. The FVMA spent 2025 working hard to advocate on your behalf and to prepare for 2026.
Dispensing of Compunded Medication
We held discussions with the Florida Board of Pharmacy to modify rule 64B16-27.700 (Veterinary Office Use Compounding) to remove the sentence that stated veterinarians could not dispense compounded medications purchased for office use. We are ecstatic to announce that the sentence has been removed, and the rule change has been published to the Florida Administrative Registry, entering a three-week review period before it’s slated to become finalized Dec. 24, 2025, if there are no objections.
Xylazine
The FVMA has exciting news regarding the reclassification of Xylazine. Effective November 23, 2025, Xylazine is temporarily reclassified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, with an exemption for veterinary use, under Florida Rule 2-40.008 through June 2026.
The FVMA’s Legislative Advocacy Committee worked directly with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to secure the implementation of this exemption and will continue to work to ensure the exemption becomes permanent. The FVMA wants to thank Attorney General James Uthmeier for working with us to help ensure veterinary professionals in Florida have access to critical veterinary drugs when they’re medically needed.
What this means for you:
- You are now temporarily able to use Xylazine when medically necessary through June 2026
- We recommend treating, storing, and handling Xylazine the same as Schedule III substances
Veterinary Prescription Disclosure Act (HB 89)
A new bill was filed for the upcoming legislative session, which will require veterinarians to “clearly inform a client of the client’s right to receive a written prescription for the medication,” which can be either verbal (in person) or electronic (via telemedicine), and the client’s choice must be noted in the medical record.
The FVMA believes this bill will be burdensome and unnecessary, as Florida veterinarians are already required to provide a written prescription upon request. We are actively working to have it removed or amended.
Food Animal Loan Repayment Program SB 290
To help support veterinary professionals in the state, the FVMA has worked to ensure that a Food Animal Veterinary Loan Repayment Program was developed and included in the larger SB 290 bill that we will support. The program will provide qualified individuals with $25,000 in loan principal repayments for up to 5 years to those who spend at least 20 hours per week working on food-animal species care and treatment.
Other items the FVMA is tracking:
After defeating the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) legislation over the past two years, the FVMA expects it to be refiled this year. We spent this past summer meeting with leadership in both the House and the Senate, with the primary goal of defeating this legislation because only licensed veterinarians should perform major surgical procedures. Once the bill is filed, we will oppose it while supporting Veterinary Technician Licensing legislation, which we believe is the more effective solution to improving access to care than creating a new midlevel practitioner position.
Additionally, the FVMA will strongly oppose any new attempts to deregulate the veterinary profession in Florida. Last year’s attempt to eliminate the Board of Veterinary Medicine and all CE requirements for veterinarians is not in the best interest of our profession or our patients.
We will keep all of you updated on any developments regarding the above legislative items and during the upcoming January 13-March 13, 2026, legislative session.
To conclude, on behalf of the FVMA, thank you for your continued support. Your support means we can continue advocating and ensuring your voices are heard.