What do Virginia’s rules ask of care?

A prescription starts with a real assessment.

As of September 2026, Virginia requires the person writing a prescription to assess your health, explain the medicine, and arrange more care when needed.

That person is the prescriber. You do not have to know them before the first visit.

They must learn your health history and what medicines you take, and arrange an exam suited to the problem.

They must explain the drug’s benefits and risks, with more care and follow-up when needed.

Ask what the assessment will include before paying for a plan.

“Controlled” has a wider meaning in Virginia.

As of September 2026, Virginia uses “controlled substance” to include every medicine that needs a prescription.

Federal controlled-drug rules cover a narrower list, including testosterone. Virginia’s term also includes ordinary prescription medicines.

As of September 2026, semaglutide and tirzepatide, medicines used for diabetes or weight management, are not on the federal controlled-drug lists.

If an offer calls a medicine “controlled”, ask whether it means the Virginia rule or the federal rule.

Check the licence that matches the role.

Virginia’s Board of Medicine licenses doctors and physician assistants.

Its Board of Pharmacy licenses pharmacies.

As of September 2026, nurse practitioner licences are regulated jointly by the Boards of Medicine and Nursing.

A nurse practitioner is a nurse licensed to provide care in a particular area of practice. In Virginia, they usually need a written agreement to work with a doctor. After at least three years of full-time experience, they may apply for a licence that allows care without that agreement.

If you will see a nurse practitioner, ask: “Does your licence allow you to work without a doctor’s agreement?” Look for that permission on the licence record, or ask the licensing board to explain it.

As of September 2026, a Virginia physician assistant’s agreement with a doctor sets which prescription medicines they may prescribe.

For either role, ask whether they are allowed to prescribe the exact medicine being discussed.

Read both sets of rules.

As of September 2026, federal compounding rules apply alongside Virginia’s rules for medicine made to order.

A compounded drug does not gain approval from FDA, the Food and Drug Administration, by meeting Virginia’s rules.

Ask the pharmacy to clarify whether the product has approval or is compounded. For a compounded product, ask which rule permits the pharmacy to prepare it for you.