The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, to examine the ways pet medications are distributed to consumers and how these practices affect consumer choice and price competition, the agency reported today. “American consumers spend a tremendous amount of money on medications for their pets every year. High prices on these medications mean that consumers have less money for necessities. It’s important that these medications are safe and effective and that pet owners get the benefits of a fair and robust marketplace,” said Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the FTC. “This workshop will help us understand these and other issues related to the medications we buy for our pets to keep them healthy.” The workshop will be free and open to the public, and pre-registration is not required. The FTC has not yet released an agenda for the workshop, which will be held at the commission’s satellite conference center in Washington, D.C., but questions to be addressed include: How are pet medications distributed to consumers? What are the business rationales for various pet medication distribution practices? How do these practices affect prices to consumers? How do these practices affect product supply and quality? How do these practices affect entry into the pet medication industry? What product safety issues exist with respect to these practices? Are there other factors that should be considered when analyzing the competition and consumer protection issues related to the distribution of pet medications? The FTC is seeking public comment on the upcoming workshop from consumers, veterinarians, business representatives, economists, lawyers, academics and other interested parties. Comments can be submitted here. <HOME>
