Fairness to Pet Owners Act

A controversial bill reintroduced in U.S. Congress last month is raising concerns among the veterinary community. 

The Fairness to Pet Owners Act (H.R. 4023) would require veterinarians to provide clients with written prescriptions for domesticated household animals regardless of whether or not a written prescription is requested by the client. Further, veterinarians would be prohibited from charging a prescription-writing fee or asking clients to sign a liability waiver relate to writing the prescription. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is calling on affected parties to oppose the Act and proposes it is "burdensome and unnecessary". 

Brakke Consulting senior consultant John Volk told DVM360 the legislation basically encourages people to consider sources of pet medications other than a veterinarian. Volk cited a Brakke study which indicates that given a choice, only 34% of pet owners will buy prescriptions directly from vet clinics, meaning veterinarians stand to lose a fair amount of business if the bill is passed. 

The bill is currently awaiting review by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. 

AVMA Calls for Support to Quash Act

The American Veterinary Medical Association rebutted Walmart's recent message in support of H.R. 1406, the Fairness to Pet Owners Act, in a statement issued to AVMA members on yesterday.

The bill was introduced on April 6, 2011, in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and Terry Lee, R-Neb., and was referred to the Subcommittee on Health, where it has remained. The act would require a veterinarian to do the following when prescribing a drug for animals:

• Provide the pet owner a copy of the veterinary prescription;
• Provide the pet owner with a written disclosure that the pet owner may fill the prescription through the prescriber (if available) or through another pharmacy determined by the pet owner; and
• Provide or verify the prescription by electronic or other means consistent with applicable state law, if requested by any person designated to act on behalf of the pet owner

The AMVA called the bill “unnecessary and redundant” because the association has a long-standing policy of encouraging veterinarians to write a prescription in lieu of dispensing when asked by a client. The AVMA encourages its members to contact their representatives and tell them to oppose the bill. The AMVA’s issue brief on the bill can be found on the AMVA website.

Read the details posted on Veterinary Practical News