NVMA Working for You

The Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association Board at its September meeting approved two communications advocating on behalf of NVMA members.

The NVMA took a stand against proposed FDA guidelines that would restrict the use, dispensing and stocking of compounded medications. The NVMA also contacted the Nebraska Congressional delegation to oppose the so-called "Fairness to Pet Owners Act" (the "Walmart Bill").

Reproduced here is the text of the letter from NVMA President Henry E. Cerny, DVM, MS, CVA, to Mr. Eric Nelson, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Division of Compliance, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine in Rockville, Maryland:

Dear Mr. Nelson,

I am writing on behalf of the Nebraska Veterinary Association (NVMA) and its eight hundred members. We along with the American Veterinary Medical Association and other state Veterinary Medical Associations oppose the FDA’s proposed guidelines that restrict the use, dispensing and stocking of compounded medications. We as a profession have to treat a wide variety of species and sizes of animals in which there is a lack of FDA approved drugs and appropriate strengths of medications for our variety of patients. Restricting the ability of a licensed veterinarian to stock and dispense compounded medications can have a detrimental effect on our patients. 

Some compounded medications that are commonly used in our veterinary patients are Apomorphine (to induce vomiting in dogs that have ingested poison or foreign bodies), Methimazole in a transdermal formulation to treat cats with hyperthyroidism as many owners cannot give the FDA approved tablet form without getting bitten, and Metronidazole (the FDA approved produce comes as an unscored 250 or 500 mg tablet which is well above the recommended safe dosage for puppies and kitten). When a patient presents with diarrhea or a Giardia infection they should not be forced to wait 3 days (or more) for a medication to be prepared and delivered, especially when prompt treatment can make all the difference. 

We appreciate the FDA’s efforts and support the federal and or state regulation of compounding pharmacies and the mandatory reporting of adverse drug reactions. We want to be able to provide our patients with the medications they need and when they need it. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely and Respectfully,

Henry E. Cerny, DVM, MS, CVA

Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association President

Reproduced here is the text of the letter Dr. Cerny sent to the Nebraska congressional delegation regarding the "Fairness to Pet owners Act":

I am the president of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, representing the Veterinarians of the State of Nebraska who oppose S. 1200/H.R. 3174 (The Fairness to Pet Owners Act aka the Walmart Bill). The purpose of the bill ‘To promote competition and help consumers save money by giving them the freedom to choose where they buy prescription pet medications, and for other purposes’ already exists and as such is unnecessary legislation.

This bill is solely an example of Walmart’s greed at the ultimate expense of the pet owner.  The ability of the pet owner to have a prescription filled at a pharmacy, other than at their veterinarian's office, already exists in our state.  Current pharmacy and veterinary practice laws as well as the American Veterinary Medical Associations code of ethics already allow this option for pet owners. 

The unnecessary bill would require a licensed veterinarian to write a prescription regardless of the clients wishes. This creates two big problems - increase in cost for the pet owner and possible delay in pets receiving needed prescription medication.  Currently, veterinarians are prohibited by Nebraska state law from dispensing medication from a written prescription.  Once the veterinarian has written the prescription, regardless of if the client wants to get the medication at the veterinary clinic, the veterinarian is now unable to fill the prescription. We, as a profession, want to provide our clients and their pets with the most timely and cost effective care. This unnecessary piece of legislation only accomplishes an increase in paperwork and cost to the owner. Please vote No for bill S. 1200/H.R. 3174 and help keep veterinary costs from rising.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely and Respectfully,

Henry E. Cerny, DVM, MS, CVA

Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association President

CALL TO ACTION: Click here to take your own action on the "Fairness to Pet Owners Act".