Virginia legal term
Prescription drug in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Prescription drug” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Prescription drug” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Prescription drug" means any drug required by federal law or regulation to be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription, including finished dosage forms and active ingredients subject to § 503(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 353(b)). (Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-3401)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.