Veterinary Meds: Pharmacists Demand Legal Dispensation
- A clash has emerged between pharmacists and veterinarians following the implementation of Real Decreto 666/2023, de 18 de julio.
- For several weeks, veterinary professionals, especially those with direct interests in veterinary clinics, have been advocating against the government's regulation published in the BOE.
- The arguments raised by these professionals are considered theoretical, particularly regarding the imbalance of public health principles that thay, like other healthcare professionals, should protect.Pharmacy sources suggest their...
Veterinary Antibiotic regulations Spark Debate Between Pharmacists and Veterinarians
Table of Contents
- Veterinary Antibiotic regulations Spark Debate Between Pharmacists and Veterinarians
- Veterinary Antibiotic Regulations: Q&A on the Pharmacist-Veterinarian Debate
A clash has emerged between pharmacists and veterinarians following the implementation of Real Decreto 666/2023, de 18 de julio. This decree regulates the distribution, prescription, dispensation, and use of veterinary medicines. Veterinarians have voiced strong opposition to the new regulations, notably those limiting their prescription of antibiotics for animals. This opposition stems from concerns about increasing antimicrobial resistance associated with antibiotic use in animals.
Veterinarians Challenge New Antibiotic Prescription Rules
For several weeks, veterinary professionals, especially those with direct interests in veterinary clinics, have been advocating against the government’s regulation published in the BOE. This regulation governs the prescription of antibiotic medications. the government defends its publication by citing concerns over microbial resistance, animal public health, and, ultimately, human public health.These are aspects that Europe has deemed important, emphasizing the control of veterinary prescriptions in its regulations.
The arguments raised by these professionals are considered theoretical, particularly regarding the imbalance of public health principles that thay, like other healthcare professionals, should protect.Pharmacy sources suggest their actions are causing “una injustificada alarma social.”
Concerns Over Animal Welfare and Bureaucracy
These same sources also indicated “que se dan riesgos para la vida animal, cuestión que de ser cierta sería fácilmente entendible por la Administración.” They have even claimed in their campaign “que el retraso en la entrega del medicamento a la mascota generará muertes.” Though, it’s argued that such deaths would likely result from the pet’s health condition rather than the implementation of a protocol. it is emphasized that in situ treatment should take precedence over bureaucracy.
Pharmacies Allege Legal Infringements by Veterinary Clinics
Conversely, pharmaceutical sources claim that veterinary clinics “se viene infringiendo la normativa legal española (Ley del Medicamento) durante todos estos años,” disregarding the demands of pharmacists. The ability to prescribe is prohibited alongside the action or activity of dispensación de medicamentos. “Es más,son las oficinas de farmacia,las comerciales detallistas y las entidades o agrupaciones ganaderas las que están por normativa autorizada para la dispensación de medicamentos y otros productos.”
Call for Equal Fiscal Treatment
It would seem more logical for veterinarians to demand from the Government, such as, “el mismo trato fiscal que reciben los medicamentos de uso humano, que, como bien se sabe, es un IVA reducido,” especially as human medications are frequently enough dispensed to pets due to a lack of veterinary alternatives. What cannot be demanded from the Government is that Veterinary Clinics can continue dispensing medications, and even less with the arguments they have been offering.
Debate over Sanctions and Professional Practice
Veterinarians legitimately oppose the system of economic sanctions, arguing that a professional act where public health might potentially be at risk should be sufficient grounds for penalizing malpractice. However, they are not the onyl healthcare professionals subject to a more or less harsh sanctioning regime, which can sometimes be challenging to explain.
The control of prescriptions,especially concerning antibiotics,neither limits nor restricts the professional act of the veterinarian. It does,however,create more bureaucracy,as it does for other professionals,which is done for the benefit of everyone’s public health.
The Essence of Regulation
All regulations on medicines involve controls and bureaucracy, but they should not be seen as a limit or restriction on professional practice, as has been argued.One cannot demand “una regulación justa del medicamento,” as that regulation already exists.
Veterinary Antibiotic Regulations: Q&A on the Pharmacist-Veterinarian Debate
A new regulatory landscape is emerging in Spain concerning the use of veterinary medicines, particularly antibiotics.This has sparked a notable debate between pharmacists and veterinarians. Here’s a breakdown of the key issues at stake:
Understanding the New regulations
What is Real Decreto 666/2023 and what does it regulate?
Real Decreto 666/2023, de 18 de julio, is a Spanish Royal Decree that regulates the distribution, prescription, dispensation, and use of veterinary medicines. This includes stricter rules concerning the prescription of antibiotics for animals.
Why was Real Decreto 666/2023 implemented?
the government implemented this decree due to concerns about:
Antimicrobial resistance: The overuse of antibiotics in animals contributes to the rise of resistant bacteria, posing a threat to both animal and human health.
Animal public health: Ensuring the responsible use of medication to maintain the health and welfare of animals.
Human public health: Recognizing that animal health is interconnected with human health, and controlling veterinary prescriptions is vital for overall public health.
European Regulations: Aligning with European standards emphasizing the control of veterinary prescriptions.
What EU regulation impacts veterinary medicine?
Regulation (EU) 2019/6 updated the rules on the authorization and use of veterinary medicines in the European Union (EU). It became applicable on January 28, 2022.
The Veterinarian Viewpoint
Why are veterinarians opposing the new antibiotic prescription rules?
Veterinarians are voicing strong opposition, primarily due to the limitations on thier ability to prescribe antibiotics for animals including concerns about:
Potential risks to animal lives if delays in accessing necessary medications occur.
A belief that prompt, in situ treatment should take precedence over bureaucratic processes.
Opposition to economic sanctions, suggesting malpractice should be sufficiently penalized based on potential public health risks.
What are veterinarians’ concerns regarding animal welfare and increased bureaucracy?
Veterinarians worry that:
Delays in obtaining medications due to new protocols could jeopardize animal lives, although it’s argued that the animal’s underlying condition is the more significant factor.
The increased bureaucracy associated with the new regulations may hinder timely treatment.
The Pharmacist Perspective
What legal infringements do pharmacies allege veterinary clinics are committing?
Pharmaceutical sources argue that veterinary clinics have been disregarding existing Spanish law (Ley del Medicamento) for years.
Pharmacies emphasize that the ability to prescribe is prohibited alongside the action or activity of dispensing medications by veterinary clinics. Only licensed pharmacies, retailers, and livestock entities/groups are authorized to dispense medications.
Why are pharmacies calling for equal fiscal treatment?
Pharmacies suggest that a more logical demand from veterinarians would be for the government to provide the same reduced VAT (value-added tax) on veterinary medicines as is applied to human medications,especially as human medications are frequently dispensed to pets due to a lack of veterinary alternatives.
Key Points of Contention Summarized
| Issue | Veterinarian Perspective | Pharmacist Perspective |
| ————————– | ——————————————————————— | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Antibiotic Restrictions | Concerns about animal welfare due to delays; bureaucracy hinders care. | Emphasize the need to curb antimicrobial resistance for public health. |
| Medication Dispensing | Believe in situ* treatment is paramount. | Argue veterinary clinics are illegally dispensing medications; only authorized entities (pharmacies) should dispense. |
| Fiscal Treatment | No mention in article. | Advocate for equal VAT treatment on veterinary meds vs. human meds. |
| Sanctions | Oppose economic sanctions; professional malpractice should be sufficient. | No mention in article. |
Regulation and Professional Practice
How do veterinarians view the control of prescriptions?
Veterinarians express concerns that what is described as “more bureaucracy” might potentially be a limit or restriction on their professional pactice. Tho, government regulations are implemented for the benefit of all of public health, neither limiting nor restricting the act of a veterinarian.
How should regulations on medicines be viewed?
Regulations on medicines should not be seen as a limit or restriction; instead, it guarantees a just regulation of the medicine.