The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) is against it, and those in the know predict it has a 3% chance of passing, but that didn’t stop Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz from introducing H.R. 623, called the Fairness to Pet Owners Act of 2017, January 24, 2017.

A version of this bill (H.R. 3174) was introduced in 2015 and didn’t go past hearings. During a hearing for that bill, the Federal Trade Commission testified that increased portability of prescriptions would provide increased competition.

What Is the Fairness to Pet Owners Act of 2017?

The Congressional Research Service summarizes the bill: “This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to require prescribers of animal drugs to verify prescriptions and provide copies of prescriptions to pet owners, pet owner designees, and pharmacies, without the prescriber demanding payment or establishing other conditions. The bill applies these requirements to medication for a domesticated household animal that consumers are not allowed to purchase without a prescription.”

The purpose of this bill is “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.”

The problem it is supposed to address is that some animal owners believe that because they don’t have a prescription, they can only get their animals’ medication at the vet they see, instead of another vet or online.

During the 2016 hearing for the related bill, Nate Smith, vice president of strategy at True Science, now called VetIQ, said that pet owners can save up to 20% on the same name brands and 50% on equivalents at retail pharmacies, such as those owned by his company.

Why Is the AVMA against the Bill?

The AVMA responds, “This bill would force veterinarians to provide written copies of every prescription – even if their clients don’t want one.” The organization says it’s also unnecessary, because veterinarians provide clients with prescriptions any time they ask.

The AVMA's Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics require a veterinarian-client-patient relationship before writing a prescription. At medication retailers, all that’s required is a prescription. The AVMA makes the case that clients may choose cheaper, over-the-counter (and weaker) medications in lieu of more expensive prescriptions without the advice of a veterinarian. Certain medications require the direct oversight of a veterinarian, which is not provided at a retailer, the organization adds.

The AVMA states that the bill would only waste veterinarians’ time and may cause an increase in costs passed on to the client.

The organization also provides a report on 36 states that have adopted “laws, regulations or policy statements that specifically or implicitly require veterinarians to provide their clients with a written prescription upon request in some circumstances.” The report adds that in states other than the 36 mentioned, veterinary medicine boards may consider the failure to provide a prescription upon request unprofessional conduct.

What Are They Fighting for?

At issue is the lucrative and growing market for pet prescriptions. Pet medication sales grew to $7.4 billion in 2016, estimated Packaged Facts, a market-research firm. The company estimates sales to increase to $8.9 billion by 2019. 

Your Covetrus North America representative can provide other tips and suggestions of value to you and your clients! Contact us at: 855-724-3461.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr623

https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/05/12/839484/10162644/en/The-Fairness-to-Pet-Owners-Act-Gains-Momentum-as-House-Members-Come-Together-for-the-Love-of-Pets.html

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr623/summary

http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/article162964823.html

http://avmacan.avma.org/avma/issues/alert/?alertid=76212626

https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Principles-of-Veterinary-Medical-Ethics-of-the-AVMA.aspx

https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/FAQs/Pages/Prescriptions-and-Pharmacies-Pet-Owner-FAQs.aspx