Bill will allow mobile veterinary clinics to expand suite of services offered and medicines administered, saving animal lives
As it currently stands under the Controlled Substances Act, which is enforced by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the administration of controlled drugs by licensed veterinarians outside of registered locations is prohibited. The current regulations prohibit veterinary professionals from bringing potentially lifesaving medicines to animals in need, and animals must be taken to stationary facilities. Once signed into law by the President, the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act will allow veterinarians to provide much-needed care to a host of animals in desperate need-from dogs and cats in rural areas of the country to ranchers who cannot feasibly transport livestock to stationary clinics.
The greatly-expanded suite of services that veterinarians will be able to administer will go a long way to improve the humane treatment of animals by paving the way for sick animals to receive care that might not otherwise be within reach. The bill allows a veterinarian to "transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice at a site other than such veterinarian's principal place of business or professional practice, as long as the dispensing site is located in a state where the veterinarian is licensed to practice."
The House bill was sponsored by Kurt Schrader, DVM, (D-Ore.) and Ted Yoho, DVM, (R-Fla.), founding members of the U.S. House Veterinary Medicine Caucus. H.R. 1528 carried an additional 185 co-sponsors. This bill mirrors a bill passed unanimously by the Senate on January 8. Procedure dictates that the chambers must still decide on which of the bills to send to President Obama for signature.
"I am so happy to see that despite many of the struggles in Washington our lawmakers were able to come together and unite unanimously over such an important issue," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association's president and CEO. "Passage of the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act is a common-sense solution that should be applauded. Mr. President, we hope you will sign the bill into law as soon as you are able. The health and welfare of millions of animals will benefit."
About American Humane Association
American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.
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