What must a pharmacy include when labeling controlled substances for animals?

The requirement for including the species and owner's name when labeling controlled substances for animals is crucial as it ensures proper identification and accountability for the medication being dispensed. This specific information helps veterinary professionals and pet owners understand exactly which animal the medication is prescribed for, thereby minimizing the risk of dosing errors or misuse.

In veterinary practice, medications can vary significantly not only between species but also between individual animals within a species, as their health conditions and dosages can differ. Including the owner's name on the label ensures that the medication is directly associated with the rightful recipient, helping to prevent confusion or medication errors that could arise if the label was generic or lacked these critical identifying details.

While aspects like the pharmacy's licensing number or the expiration date of the medication are important for compliance and safety purposes, they do not have the same direct impact on the proper use and identification of medications for animals as the species and owner's name do. Additionally, the price of the medication is not relevant to safety or efficacy and does not contribute to proper medication management in animal care. Therefore, the inclusion of the species and owner's name is a fundamental requirement for ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance when dealing with controlled substances for animals.