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Associations & Organizations
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Veterinary group pumps new blood into leadership
4/22/2013
Ethics society chooses Petco doctor as president
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Task force to alter AVMA governance regroups after backlash
1/16/2013
House delegates could be asked to vote on their own demise
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Veterinary prescription problems aired with regulators
1/12/2013
Pharmacy boards urge veterinarians to file complaints
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AVMA delegates to scrutinize veterinary homeopathy
1/3/2013
Debarking, stem cell policies among several up for debate
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GHLIT health insurance for veterinarians to end by 2014
12/26/2012
Obamacare killed association-based plans, officials say
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Government orders veterinary-school accreditor to correct problems
12/14/2012
Veterinarians air criticisms before education panel
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AVMA’s role as education accreditor scrutinized
12/11/2012
USDE addresses critics as scheduled review of COE draws near
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British veterinarians welcome advertising ban on antimicrobials
10/16/2012
Efforts made to curb antimicrobial resistance
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Welfare college receives provisional recognition
8/16/2012
Veterinarians eager to watch specialty group evolve
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AVMA proposed stance on raw diets draws critics
8/2/2012
Group stresses that policy — not law — is up for consideration today
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Veterinarians brainstorm to change AVMA governance
7/20/2012
Efforts to enhance democracy reflect ongoing transformation
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Helping Pets Fund closes
7/19/2012
AAHA cites decline in donations
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Ohio Veterinary Medical Association building burns
6/1/2012
Flames destroy more than half of structure
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Challenges face proposal to create welfare specialty
5/1/2012
Appeal to overturn COE's rejection of the group underway
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California veterinarians ready to testify against lay dentistry
4/16/2012
Scope-of-practice battle wages over teeth cleaning
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AVMA issues email fraud alert
4/6/2012
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Private university in Arizona plans new veterinary school
3/8/2012
Midwestern University cites shortage of rural practitioners
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AAVMC leadership change puts Osburn at helm
10/21/2011
Dr. Marguerite Pappaioanou resigns to pursue work in public health
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AVMA challenges Wal-Mart’s push to make veterinarians script out
10/5/2011
Fairness to Pet Owners Act sits at controversy's center
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St. George’s veterinary school receives U.S. accreditation
9/23/2011
Roughly 90 percent of program's graduates draw from North America
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AVMA asked to acknowledge court ruling in compounding brochure
9/20/2011
Some celebrate while others downplay ruling's significance
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GAO calls for better data on antibiotic use in livestock
9/13/2011
Federal auditor finds little progress in past decade
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North Carolina veterinarians brace for Hurricane Irene
8/26/2011
NCVMA collects names of volunteers
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AVMA mulls governance overhaul
7/26/2011
Calls to upend entrenched bureaucracy surface at House session
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AVMA task force to review merits of foreign accreditation
7/20/2011
Resolution stripped of economic language on advice of AVMA lawyer
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Veterinarians challenge authority of AVMA Executive Board to make policy
6/16/2011
Calls for change prompted by controversial revision to Veterinarian's Oath
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Antibiotics: spinning the data from Denmark
5/27/2011
Antibiotics do little to enhance growth, yet producers still use them
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Antibiotics: precaution vs. proof
5/26/2011
Weighing risk to public health from antibiotics used in livestock
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FDA: Food-animal antibiotic consumption dwarfs human medical use
5/25/2011
New data reveal flaws in figures presented by AVMA, industry
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Scrutiny of livestock antibiotic use pressures veterinary profession
5/24/2011
AVMA negotiates shifting regulatory landscape
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Resolutions ask AVMA to explore foreign accreditation, globalization efforts
5/20/2011
Members seek greater transparency into AVMA's international activities
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Report: unprecedented change in store for AVMA, profession
4/28/2011
'Continuous improvement' prescribed for nation's largest veterinary association
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AVMA terminates online CE venture
4/22/2011
AVMA Ed to close by Dec. 31
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PLIT rolls back workers' comp advice for relief veterinarians
3/29/2011
Broker Hub International issues clarification
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New blood challenges seasoned official for AVMA Executive Board seat
3/16/2011
Veterinarians urged to get ballots to AVMA headquarters by April 1
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NAVMEC addresses great challenges facing veterinary profession
3/8/2011
Economist's call for change goes beyond NAVMEC recommendations
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AVMA raises dues as membership numbers climb
1/25/2011
Incremental increases to generate $4 million in three years
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AVMA seeks members’ opinions on ‘critical initiatives’
1/19/2011
Critic says it is a start, but more conversation needed
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GHLIT ends endorsement of Pets Best while severing ties with Aetna
1/14/2011
Deal dies quietly as GHLIT exits pet health insurance arena
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AVMA delegates reject bid to add transparency to governing processes
1/11/2011
Delegates expressed fears of retribution by public on controversial issues
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Decision to alter Veterinarian's Oath strikes discord
1/6/2011
Faction of AVMA members report feeling disenfranchised
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Proposed welfare specialty college bends to veterinarians' concerns
12/16/2010
AVMA welfare principles no longer a point of contention
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California veterinarians target unlicensed care
12/14/2010
Conflict between profession, lay practitioners intensifies
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AVMA seeks third-party audit of accreditation program
12/10/2010
Voluntary review meant to allay scrutiny, concerns raised by veterinarians
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Texas veterinarians author legislation to bridle lay dentists
12/3/2010
Judge's order prompts end to regulatory crackdown on unlicensed teeth floating
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AVMA condemns activists targeting UC Davis researchers
12/1/2010
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AVMA solicits public input on model veterinary practice act
11/11/2010
Comment period begins in January
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NAS veterinary workforce study nears release
10/28/2010
Stakeholders expect report to shed light on supply and demand in America
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Calif. spay/neuter program breeds skepticism among veterinarians
9/23/2010
State attempts to tackle pet overpopulation by selling specialty license plates
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Veterinary regulators poised to define parameters of lay dentistry
9/9/2010
Stakeholders across America watch as Texas takes on controversial issue
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Texas veterinarians mull reviving bid to examine AVMA’s role in global accreditation
8/19/2010
Those calling for audit face accusations of racism; issue clouded by politics, some contend
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Proposed animal welfare college challenged by veterinarians
8/5/2010
Critics lambast mandate to sign AVMA welfare principles
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Veterinarians challenge AVMA’s governance in quest to be heard
7/30/2010
‘1 Member, 1 Vote’ drive kicks off at annual convention in Atlanta
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Foreign-school accreditation clash continues in JAVMA
7/21/2010
Editorial letters express concern in July 15 edition
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What's happening with accreditation of foreign health professional schools?
7/13/2010
Veterinarians in heated debate; dentists pushed to test water; physicians eye from a distance
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Veterinarians question AVMA's role in international accreditation
7/13/2010
Texas resolution calls for self-study
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Veterinarians to AVMA: Talk to us
7/6/2010
In VIN survey, group rates low on communication, high on leadership
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Western U receives full accreditation
3/5/2010
COE grants three-year window
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Accreditation under fire in veterinary medicine
2/26/2010
Concerns surface with the accreditation bids of two controversial programs
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Osburn resigns from Banfield board of directors
2/13/2010
UC Davis dean cites potential conflict of interest as impetus for decision
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AVMA seeks to deter news investigation
1/21/2010
Alleges reporter misappropriated confidential documents
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Pets Best flap revives debate about merits of pet insurance
12/15/2009
DVMs concerned Aetna policy portends a future similar to human health insurance issues
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PAC pits school against school for donations
8/27/2009
Competition designed to spur fundraising surge
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Activists go after stores selling dogs from puppy mills
7/27/2009
Movement to stamp out large commercial breeders gains traction
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Leaders ask California DVMs to watch for local ordinances
7/22/2009
New law safeguards veterinary practice, but opens window for bans
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Survey: Rescue organizations turning away 38 percent of unwanted horses
7/15/2009
Economic downturn highlight, exacerbates ongoing problem
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Prop 2 rattles Calif., prompts welfare council
7/15/2009
Advisory group receives mixed reaction
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AVMA town hall meeting skims tough issues facing profession
7/12/2009
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AVMA debates profession's role concerning antimicrobials in livestock
7/11/2009
Resolution gets pushed aside for further review
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New AVMA president-elect calls diversifying profession a major priority
7/11/2009
Kornegay sails into top elected seat following uncontested presidential race
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MARKETLink proceeds help fuel AAHA PR campaign
7/1/2009
National groups freeze dues hikes
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Funding woes kill Fresno lab, haunt DVM program
6/26/2009
Calif. budget crisis wreaks havoc on veterinary medical education
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AVMA, GHLIT respond to VIN survey
5/7/2009
Neither group directly addresses objections to GHLIT-Pets Best partnership
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'Swine influenza' name sickens U.S. pork markets
4/29/2009
AVMA issues statement; efforts underway to rename virus
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Dr. Janis Audin dies
4/23/2009
Longtime JAVMA head leaves legacy, official says
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Veterinarians must comply with Red Flags Rule by May 1
4/22/2009
Most practice owners already meet requirements, AVMA official says
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HSUS to take Prop 2-like action to Ohio
4/6/2009
Veterinarians gear up for talks to thwart high-stakes conflict with activists
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Veterinary charity highlighted by economic woes
3/30/2009
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Survey shows veterinarians wary of AVMA GHLIT-Pets Best deal
3/23/2009
AVMA, GHLIT promise to respond soon
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AVMA portfolio in the red
2/24/2009
Economy batters association’s investments; dues increase looms
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Off the table?
2/12/2009
Calif. sales tax on veterinary services loses steam
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Veterinary Behaviorists Question Dominance Theory in Dogs
2/5/2009
Position Irks Some Trainers
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AVMA announces new strategy for annual meeting
1/22/2009
Are conferences in trouble?
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Consulting firm releases user guide that avows pet insurance merits
1/21/2009
AVMA issues policy shift as criticisms of GHLIT-Pets Best partnership ensue
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About-face by Florida regulators eases permit policy for DVMs
1/14/2009
Refunds are on the agenda, FVMA says
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MVMA pushes animal protection legislation
1/14/2009
Measure directs courts to consider pets when issuing domestic violence protective orders
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Application deadline nears to certify for exotic mammal specialty
12/16/2008
New group focuses on ferrets, rabbits and other small pets
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FDA puts cephalosporin ban in abeyance
12/11/2008
Veterinary medicine credited by some for pushing last-minute change
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AVMA unveils online CE
12/8/2008
Leadership confident state regulators will accept association-branded education
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AVMA investments take hit, treasurer says
10/21/2008
Market turmoil impacts veterinary medicine’s largest association
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AVMA leaders think like you do, survey reveals
10/17/2008
Group seeks to remain relevant to membership
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Internships, residencies skyrocket in popularity, AVMA says
10/17/2008
40 percent of 2008's graduating class to seek advanced training, report shows
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AVMA falls short of $1 million goal for PAC
10/9/2008
Campaign for contributions underway
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AVMA addresses Congress on antimicrobial resistance
9/26/2008
Delegates to challenge national association’s stance in January
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Colorado to release welfare principles
9/25/2008
Association awaits leadership’s approval
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Mexican university seeks AVMA accreditation
9/22/2008
COE nod could usher Mexican veterinarians into the United States
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AVMA condemns alleged abuse at swine operation
9/17/2008
Undercover PETA video shows animals kicked, beaten and inhumanely slaughtered
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NJVMA wins NPI exemption for veterinarians
9/9/2008
State backtracks on law designed to track Medicare/Medicaid fraud
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AVMA to release economic data
9/9/2008
Biennial economic survey, starting salaries report set for publication
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AVMA launches Web-based TV channel
9/3/2008
AVMAtv provides public information about veterinary medicine
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CVMA mum as AVMA moves in on Prop 2
8/27/2008
Association sits quietly as AVMA adopts a contradictory stance on ballot state initiative
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HSVMA to launch insurance options, recruitment campaign
8/25/2008
Membership drive markets group as a welfare-friendly alternative to AVMA
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GHLIT tackles latest PR flap concerning Pets Best deal
8/22/2008
Promotional e-mail advertises AVMA’s endorsement of insurance agency
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AVMA wants YOU!
8/20/2008
Volunteer opportunities abound; leaders welcome nominations
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Senate to consider bill prompted by declaw ban
8/18/2008
Measure protects medical procedures from local meddling, CVMA says
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AAEP wants veterinarians to inspect shows for welfare violations
8/8/2008
Group issues white paper suggesting ways to end ‘soring’
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Disgruntled CVMA members spin off with new group
8/5/2008
Association's support of Proposition 2 divides California veterinarians
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GHLIT-pet insurance partnership raises red flags
7/28/2008
Competitors question ethics, legality of Trust’s newfound relationship
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No dues increase — this time, AVMA reports
7/21/2008
$29.6 million budget detailed during annual convention
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GHLIT rate increases slow
7/3/2008
Premiums jump 1.1 percent, compared to a 12.8-percent hike in November
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UPDATE: FDA bans cephalosporin drugs in food animals
7/3/2008
Federal regulators issue change amid concerns about antimicrobial resistance
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AAHA enters $10 million tentative deal to sell MARKETLink
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On the record
The VIN News Service recently conducted a Q&A session with the American Veterinary Medical Association and its indemnity arm, the Group Health and Life Insurance Trust (AVMA-GHLIT). The discussion explores the controversial partnership that’s emerged between GHLIT and Pets Best Insurance, a private entity.
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Associations & Organizations
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AVMA challenges Wal-Mart’s push to make veterinarians script out
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October 5, 2011
By: Jennifer Fiala
For The VIN News Service
 Wal-Mart operates more than 2,700 stores in the United States. Photo: VIN News Service.
That’s the first line in a recent action alert emailed to members of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Wal-Mart, one of the nation's largest sellers of prescription drugs, is rallying public backing for HR 1406 — The Fairness to Pet Owners Act of 2011 — by creating an online campaign that asks the public to “take action.” With the click of a button, visitors to the site can email their representatives in support of the legislation.
Introduced by Rep. Jim Matheson, HR 1406 requires veterinarians to issue prescriptions to clients, enabling pet owners to bargain hunt in pharmacies for their pet medications. The bill stipulates that veterinarians may not refuse to write a prescription or charge a fee for it.
The AVMA has responded to Wal-Mart's rally by attempting to create a grassroots campaign of its own, imploring veterinarians and others to contact their legislators in opposition.
Why? Because HR 1406 is onerous, burdensome and unnecessary, AVMA leaders say. The nation’s largest trade group for veterinarians argues that practitioners are ethically obligated to script out when asked, and regulations in many states require it. What’s more, they say HR 1406 inappropriately prohibits a business from charging for the delivery of a service such as writing a prescription.
Wal-Mart, on the other hand, wants legal assurance that owners have the ability to obtain prescriptions for pet medications, allowing them to bargain shop, presumably at Wal-Mart pharmacies and other stores. Consumers should have a choice, especially when their pets need antibiotics, insulins and other human drugs, says Lorenzo Lopez, director of Wal-Mart's media relations.
Lopez noted in an email to the VIN News Service that Wal-Mart does not carry animal-specific medications. However, Wal-Mart sells generic drugs such as amoxicillin and penicillin, which commonly are prescribed to pets.
“The bill allows consumers a choice when it comes to prescription medications for their pets, just like they have for their own personal medications," Lopez states. "As part of a broad coalition, Wal-Mart supports efforts that give our customers a say where they purchase medicines and enables them to save money on the same items commonly prescribed to individuals, such as insulin and antibiotics, so even their pets can live better."
It's common for owners to obtain pet medications from veterinarians. Proponents of that scenario maintain that veterinary practices are uniquely suited to dispense pet medications because animals often require dosages that differ substantially from those used in humans, and therefore are unfamiliar to pharmacists. Drugs also often have a different physiological effect in pets than in humans.
Wal-Mart and others advocating for the passage of HR 1406 contend that veterinarians object to it because they are trying to maintain a hold on prescription profits. Not so, AVMA leaders counter.
"AVMA has a long-standing policy encouraging veterinarians to write a prescription in lieu of dispensing when asked by a client. And pet owners already have the freedom to take a prescription to be filled at the pharmacy of their choice," stated Dr. Mark Lutchaunig, head of the AVMA Governmental Relations Division (GRD), in an interview last spring with the VIN News Service.
The AVMA expects that the bill’s passage will require only more paperwork for veterinarians. To convey this idea, the group aired a video skit during the AVMA annual convention in July in St. Louis showing how the law might burden veterinary practices and their clients.
While the AVMA did not respond to requests for a copy of the video, the VIN News Service attended the convention where it was presented. The skit went like this: A veterinarian and client are in an exam room discussing an animal’s medication. The client expects to get the medication from the veterinary practice, but the veterinarian must embark on a awkward explanation detailing why she needs to write a prescription for the medication so the client can hand it back to the veterinarian. Then the veterinary practice's pharmacy can dispense the medication.
The AVMA and Wal-Mart aren’t the only organizations with a stance on HR 1406. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit and nonpartisan group that tracks money in U.S. politics, Bayer AG and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) are weighing in as well.
“We have endorsed the bill,” states Chrissy Kopple, NACDS vice president of media relations. She declined to detail why the association favors HR 1406 but noted that Wal-Mart is one of the trade group’s 130-plus members.
According to disclosure reports filed with Congress, NACDS spent more than $1.2 million during the first two quarters of this year pushing its federal agenda, HR 1406 included. For its part, Wal-Mart pays D&P Creative Strategies, LLC, a lobbying firm based in Virginia, $30,000 a quarter to push a number of initiatives that include the fairness act legislation.
Bayer, whose rapport with veterinarians has suffered since opening its flea and tick preventatives to retail outlets in March 2010, opposes HR 1406. The drug maker employs 25 in-house lobbyists on a $3-million payroll but supports just one lobbyist in Washington who's dedicated to animal health.
"Simply put, HR 1406 provides no additional benefits to pet owners. It is unnecessary and encroaches on state pharmacy and veterinary practice laws that already govern compliance by veterinarians," writes Staci Gouveia, Bayer's director of communications, in an email to the VIN News Service.
The AVMA allocates $300,000 a year for its Governmental Relations Division in Washington, which employs four registered lobbyists, three of whom are veterinarians. The AVMA allots another $30,000 a quarter to CM Government Relations, a lobbying firm with deep roots in pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.
According to disclosure reports filed with Congress, the AVMA spent $310,000 lobbying for the association's position on HR 1406 and other initiatives during the first six months of this year.
"It's time for veterinarians to take action!" the AVMA proclaims in its alert to members. "If you don't speak up, the only message Congress will hear is Wal-Mart's!"
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