The American Veterinary Medical Association asserted its opposition last week to the proposed federal mandate on prescription writing and encouraged members to voice their opinions about topics covered at the Federal Trade Commission’s Pet Medication Workshop. The FTC has extended the comment period to Nov. 1. The AVMA previously called for support to quash the bill, HR1406, also known as the Fairness to Pet Owners Act, which would require veterinarians to provide a written prescription to pet owners regardless of whether the owner intends to fill the prescription in-house or through a different dispenser. The AVMA’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics already state that veterinarians should provide clients with a written prescription when requested. “Essentially this is a solution without a problem,” said Mark Cushing, founding partner of the Animal Policy Group, during one of the workshop’s panel discussions in Washington, D.C. “Veterinarians routinely provide prescriptions to their clients.” The overarching purpose of the daylong workshop was to establish whether the trend of pet medication dispensation shifting from veterinary to retail channels is ultimately good for the consumer. Industry stakeholders from veterinary organizations, businesses, academia, government and veterinarians participated in a series of discussions on topics including the distribution of pet medications, the portability of pet medications and lessons to be gleaned from the contact lens industry, which the FTC views as a possible parallel to the pet medication industry. The FTC is accepting comments online. <HOME>
