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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 16, 2017 09:58 AM |
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| From: | Representative Ed Gainey |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Veterinarian and ABC-MAP reporting |
| Please join me in sponsoring a legislative proposal which would amend the Achieving Better Care By Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP) Act to remove the exemption for veterinarians. Many attribute the cause of the opioid/heroin epidemic to the availability and misuse of opioid drugs; primarily, OxyContin, Vicodin, Morphine, and Percocet. Although vets do not typically dispense the aforementioned opioids, they do dispense opioids with similar chemical structures that are formulated for use in animals. Specifically, the painkiller tramadol; ketamine, an anesthetic; and hydrocodone, which is similar to Vicodin, are all dispensed by vets to treat pain and other ailments presented by dogs and other pets. Although vets treat pet animals and not humans, some pet owners “vet shop” to secure prescription opioids to feed their addictions. There have been numerous reports of pet owners who intentionally injure their pets to secure opioid prescriptions for their own use. Consequently, my legislative proposal would require dispensers of veterinary medicine, which could be a pharmacy or a veterinarian, to submit information to the ABC-MAP drug monitoring system regarding each controlled substance dispensed. The legislation would further require the ABC-MAP board to develop a universal claim form for use by veterinarians who do not have Internet access. As a founding member of the PA-Hope Caucus (Heroin, Opioid, Prevention & Education), I thanks you in advance for joining me as a sponsor of this legislative proposal. |
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| View Attachment | ||
Introduced as HB1923