What Do You Think?

The Food and Drug Administration has determined that certain drugs can only be used safely when patients and owners are provided with critical information on the safe use of the drug. For humans, this information is provided in the form of a Medication Guide.

The veterinary equivalent is known as the Client Information Sheet. Owners of pets who have suffered adverse reactions to veterinary drugs have reported to the FDA that they were not provided Client Information Sheets by their veterinarians. For the past six years, owners have appealed to no avail to state veterinary boards to mandate that vets provide this critical information to owners.

To remedy this situation in Pennsylvania, Senators Stack, Browne, Fontana, Rafferty, Boscola, Costa and Ferlo have introduced legislation mandating that veterinarians provide clients with Client Information Sheets for the drugs that have them. It is anticipated that similar legislation will be introduced in most other states over the next few months. Detailed background on this legislation is available at: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/04n0559/04N-0559_emc-000003-01.pdf

What do you think? Would drug, or client information sheets help you make better health care decisions for your pets?