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AVMA Urges Action Against Prescription Bill

The American Veterinary Medical Association renewed its efforts to rally members in opposition of H.R. 1406, the Fairness to Pet Owners Act of 2011.

In September 2011, the AVMA called upon its members to contact their representatives after Walmart published a statement favoring the bill. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade is setting its agenda for the year and has expressed an interest in seeing the bill placed on its calendar for 2012, the AVMA said. In an effort to quash the bill, the American Veterinary Medical Association called on its members to contact subcommittee chair Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif, and express their opposition to the act.

The Fairness to Pet Owners Act would require veterinarians to write a prescription for medication for small animals regardless of whether the prescription is to be dispensed on-site or from a third party. It would also require veterinarians to provide a written disclosure statement explaining that pet owners have the option to fill their prescriptions through a different pharmacy. The bill would also make it illegal to request compensation or a promise of purchase from a customer in exchange for writing a prescription.

The AVMA opposes the bill on the basis of the association’s long-standing policy of encouraging veterinarians to write a prescription in lieu of dispensing when asked by a client.

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AVMA Urges Action Against Prescription Bill

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Yea lets make a law so that the richest corporation in the world (Wal-Mart) can steal more business from the lowly veterinarian who is just trying to get by. All this bill does is favor the "1%" over the "99%". Ronnie, Rockville, TN Posted: 1/29/2012 7:42:22 AM I think we are missing the point here. The problem with the bill is, the government is trying to force us to "write" prescriptions. As a professional it is my right to decide whether or not I will write prescriptions and I have chosen not to do so. If a client chooses to buy their meds elsewhere, that is their right and I will approve any Rx request I receivethat is deemed necessary and/or appropriate for my patient. I will advise clients of the risks of using certain pharmacies but if the still choose to use them, I approve the Rx. I certainly do not match the discount pharmacies price. If I could afford to do that I would be pricing my pharmacy at that level to begin with. As for the purist that says let the pharmacy go just charge "appropriately" for what our diagnostics and surgery is worth. The problem there is the disconnect between what we think or need it to be worth and what clients think it is worth or what they are willing to pay. If a client is willing to deal with the inherent hassles of dealing with the Wal-Marts and online discount pharmacies to save a buck then so be it. It is not my responsibility to ease the hassle for them. Like in any other area of life, if they want quality, convenience, personal care and confidence in product, my clients but from me and are willing to pay for it. Carlos, Fort Worth, TX Posted: 1/28/2012 9:49:54 AM Why do we as veterinarians hassle our clients about writing them a prescription for a drug the client has every right to buy anywhere they choose? When we make them jump thru hoops which is legally and morally wrong can you blame them for complaining to the powers that be with the repercussions we now are facing.How about we practice good medicine and surgery and take good care of our clients, not just now in a poor economy but ALL the time. ed, honey brook, PA Posted: 1/27/2012 10:40:37 AM It is simple economics. Remove the pharmacy and convenience from the DVM's and other services and fees will increase. This does no favors for the very people that it seeks to protect. Most veterinarians are matching prices and offering to deliver prescriptions if possible. It will also cause them to dispense prescriptions that are not available at a human pharmacy or are needed immediately at a much higher price. Let the free market prevail. Sally, Yantis, TX Posted: 1/26/2012 9:25:29 PM