2026 Minnesota Statutes

156.16 DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1.Applicability.

The definitions in this section apply to sections 156.16 to 156.20.

Subd. 2.

MS 2024 [Repealed, 2026 c 53 s 63]

Subd. 3.

MS 2024 [Repealed, 2026 c 53 s 63]

Subd. 4.

MS 2024 [Repealed, 2026 c 53 s 63]

Subd. 5.Food-producing animal.

"Food-producing animal " means any animal raised for human consumption or for producing food products or byproducts for food.

Subd. 6.Over-the-counter drug.

"Over-the-counter drug" means a veterinary drug labeled "for veterinary use only" or "for animal use only" that does not require a prescription or is not required to have the restrictive legend: "Caution: federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian."

Subd. 7.

MS 2024 [Repealed, 2026 c 53 s 63]

Subd. 8.

MS 2024 [Repealed, 2026 c 53 s 63]

Subd. 9.Pharmacist.

"Pharmacist" means an individual with a valid Minnesota license to practice pharmacy.

Subd. 10.Prescription.

"Prescription" means an order from a veterinarian to a pharmacist or another veterinarian authorizing the dispensing of veterinary prescription drugs, human drugs for extra-label use, or over-the-counter drugs for extra-label use to a client for use on or in a patient.

Subd. 11.

MS 2024 [Repealed, 2026 c 53 s 63]

Subd. 12.Veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

"Veterinarian-client-patient relationship" means a relationship in which the conditions in paragraphs (a) to (e) have been met.

(a) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to follow the instructions of the veterinarian.

(b) The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate at least a general, preliminary, or tentative diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal. The veterinarian must be acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of an examination of the animal or medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.

(c) The veterinarian is available for consultation in case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy.

(d) The veterinarian maintains records documenting patient visits, diagnosis, treatments, and drugs prescribed, dispensed, or administered, and other relevant information.

(e) The patient has visited or been examined by the veterinarian at least once every 12 months.

Subd. 13.Veterinary drug.

"Veterinary drug" means:

(1) a drug for animal use recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia or National Formulary of the United States;

(2) a drug intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in animals;

(3) a drug, other than feed, medicated feed, or a growth promoting implant intended to affect the structure or function of the body of an animal; or

(4) a drug intended for use as a component of a drug in clause (1), (2), or (3).

Subd. 14.Veterinary prescription drug.

"Veterinary prescription drug" means:

(1) a drug that may not be dispensed without a prescription of a licensed veterinarian; and

(2) a drug with the following statement on the drug's label: "Caution: federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian."

History:

1989 c 314 s 4; 1996 c 415 s 28,29; 2008 c 297 art 1 s 42,43; 2026 c 53 s 54-56