In last month's column, I talked about our federal advocacy efforts during the 115th Congress. Equally worth mentioning, and the focus of this month's column, is our current state advocacy work and how it directly impacts the animals we serve and our ability to practice quality medicine.
Our Division of State Advocacy and Leadership collaborates with the AVMA State Advocacy Committee and constituent organizations in tracking issues of importance to the veterinary profession in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and assessing states' needs regarding legislative and regulatory affairs. We routinely send out alerts to each state's veterinary medical association (VMA) on proposed legislation or regulations and help state VMAs address issues that are important to them. The list of issues for which the AVMA provides assistance is long and diverse, and includes animal cruelty and abuse, licensure and other veterinary board regulations, access to compounded medications, prescription drug monitoring programs and other prescribing requirements, taxation of veterinary products and services, scope-of-practice, regulation of veterinary procedures, and many more.
Let's take a look at prescription drug monitoring programs. As veterinarians, we are aware—and deeply concerned—that the United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. A number of states are considering whether veterinarians should be included in prescription drug monitoring programs, which compile statewide data on prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances. It is said that these programs can help stop opioid abuse by preventing clients from receiving multiple prescriptions of these drugs—what is sometimes referred to as “doctor shopping.” But there is also ongoing debate about whether veterinarians should be included in the requirements to report our prescribing and dispensing and to consult the database before offering opioids as part of our treatment plans. The AVMA has been assisting state VMAs that have reached out to us by sharing successful strategies for shaping state policy in a way that keeps these systems workable for veterinarians.
Our advocacy efforts also focus on protecting the value of your veterinary degree, and here's an example. We recently worked closely with the Minnesota VMA to oppose the trademark application of a regional chain of pet supply stores that sought to register the term “pet-erinarian.” The application for the trademark indicated that “pet-erinarian” would have been used in conjunction with providing information and advice in the field of pet health and welfare. When faced with the concerns raised by the veterinary community about the use of this term, and with the AVMA prepared to challenge the application on legal grounds, the pet supply store withdrew its trademark application.
In March, AVMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Janet Donlin and I co-signed a letter on behalf of the AVMA to the president and executive director of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) regarding a proposed change to the state's minimum standards for continuing education (CE) for veterinarians. The NCVMB's proposal would have allowed online education as a means by which licensees could fully meet their CE requirements. While we welcome opportunities for veterinarians to meet some of their educational requirements online, the face-to-face interaction that comes with in-person CE offerings supports not only quality education, but also professional and personal wellness. These personal interactions also facilitate building and maintaining relationships, both inside and outside of the classroom. As a result of our collaborative effort with the North Carolina VMA, the NCVMB withdrew its proposal.
Our state VMAs are a key component of organized veterinary medicine. These independent veterinary associations bring unique perspectives that strengthen our voice and our ability to practice. It is critically important to the AVMA that we continue to advocate right alongside our state VMAs. Our collaborative efforts help us meet the needs of both you as a veterinarian and the entire veterinary profession.
Dr. Thomas F. Meyer
