Pubdate: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 Source: San Luis Obispo County Tribune (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Tribune Contact: P.O. Box 112, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406-0112 Fax: 805.781.7905 Website: http://www.thetribunenews.com/ Author: Chris Duke, M.D., Knight Ridder Tribune VETERINARIANS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HOW THEY DISPENSE DRUGS Stiffer Regulations Meant To Keep Controlled Substances In Right Hands A question was recently posed to me by a client, "Why must I have a pet seen for the ailment I described? Can't you just dispense me the pills?" Certainly, veterinarians have compassion and want to help, but just guessing can have its drawbacks. To compound this particular situation, the client asked me for the siezural control medication Phenobarbital, which is a controlled substance. Just as in the human medical realm, veterinarians must be acountable to the DEA for their use of controlled substances. Believe me, we are not punishing pet owners by asking to have a client record and pet treatment relationship. This premise is mandated by federal law. Every cc(ml) of injectable and every tablet of these scheduled drugs must be accounted for once they are sold to the practicing veterinarian. In recent years, more drugs have been moved into the Schedule I-V categories due to their abuse potential in improper hands. In additon, the DEA has asked all veterinarians to keep logs of all Scheduled drugs all the time - not just the Schedule I-II drugs, which was acceptable for a time. Consider these rules a reaction to the war on illicit use of drugs that has continued to plague our country in the late 20th century. All veterinarians now must apply for a three-year license with the DEA in order to use or prescribe Scheduled drugs. These drugs are as benign as Lo-Motil, used for canine diarrhea, and the aforementioned Phenobarbital, which at low one or two-pill doses is very safe. Yet, the abuse potential for pain relievers, anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium and strong sedatives and anesthetic agents, which may impact pest or humans with potentially lethal effects, must be respected. Once again, please understand that your pet's veterinarian is not creating a step of inconvenience for you when questions are asked prior to dispensing drugs or providing refirlls. As professionals we are asked to comply with the law of the land, lest our licenses and DEA permits be revoked for lack of compliance. Some of our colleagues have had stiff fines imposed as well. Your pet's veterinarian will be helpful in every way possible4 to provide good, personable pet care. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D