Comments on: Conflicts of interest in veterinary medicine http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/ The Web blog of the Pet Connection, a pet-care feature syndicated internationally by Universal Press. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:34:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Ann Viera http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-307082 Ann Viera Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:27:25 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-307082 The AAMC has recently released a policy for human medicine on industry influence. It is at http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2008/080619.htm A long-standing effort on the human medicine side to reduce the influence of industry, especially on residents, is the No Free Lunch campaign headed by Dr. Bob Goodman at Columbia http://www.nofreelunch.org/. Veterinarians are among the medical personnel participating in No Free Lunch. The AAMC has recently released a policy for human medicine on industry influence. It is at http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/p.....080619.htm

A long-standing effort on the human medicine side to reduce the influence of industry, especially on residents, is the No Free Lunch campaign headed by Dr. Bob Goodman at Columbia
http://www.nofreelunch.org/. Veterinarians are among the medical personnel participating in No Free Lunch.

]]> By: Paul http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248889 Paul Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:00:14 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248889 Interesting article Christie. I am a veterinarian who very strongly believes that the veterinary profession needs to find ways to divorce themselves from corporate sponsorships that come "at a cost". All sponsorships have a cost. My comment to you and Gina and all at Petconnection is that you need to figure out how to ALWAYS operate NOT needing any sponsorship. The day you first accepted sponsorship is the day you lost your virginity. The day you find yourself in need of sponsor $$$ to continue is the day you will have forever lost your independence and ability to look at your readers with certainty and say, "We have only one master -- you my reader". Interesting article Christie.

I am a veterinarian who very strongly believes that the veterinary profession needs to find ways to divorce themselves from corporate sponsorships that come “at a cost”. All sponsorships have a cost.

My comment to you and Gina and all at Petconnection is that you need to figure out how to ALWAYS operate NOT needing any sponsorship.

The day you first accepted sponsorship is the day you lost your virginity.

The day you find yourself in need of sponsor $$$ to continue is the day you will have forever lost your independence and ability to look at your readers with certainty and say, “We have only one master — you my reader”.

]]> By: Christie Keith http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248701 Christie Keith Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:14:42 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248701 Just to make this perfectly clear, I mean if they charge a script fee for scripts filled elsewhere, they have to charge the same fee for their own clients who are getting drugs from them -- no actual prescription form needs to be involved. Just to make this perfectly clear, I mean if they charge a script fee for scripts filled elsewhere, they have to charge the same fee for their own clients who are getting drugs from them — no actual prescription form needs to be involved.

]]> By: Christie Keith http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248700 Christie Keith Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:13:37 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248700 They cannot treat prescriptions that are filled elsewhere differently from prescriptions they fill. They can charge a script fee, but if they do, it has to be for ALL scripts, not just those filled elsewhere. They cannot treat prescriptions that are filled elsewhere differently from prescriptions they fill. They can charge a script fee, but if they do, it has to be for ALL scripts, not just those filled elsewhere.

]]> By: The OTHER Pat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248699 The OTHER Pat Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:07:20 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248699 Christie, I have heard of vets who either refuse to write prescriptions for drugs to be purchased elsewhere, or tack on a healthy service charge if they do. Do you happen to know whether this is ethical/legal? (And maybe if varies by state?) Christie, I have heard of vets who either refuse to write prescriptions for drugs to be purchased elsewhere, or tack on a healthy service charge if they do. Do you happen to know whether this is ethical/legal? (And maybe if varies by state?)

]]> By: Pam http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248678 Pam Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:29:44 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-248678 Hi, Super article! What gets me is that for ears, I have always said, please give me a prescription! I can get it at half the cost on line. This usually causes a look of *disbelief* on the part of the doctor, ROFLOL almost as though I just asked them for their first born son. I have seen this look so many times on a vets face, that now I almost laugh! They do give me a script, but all the wile they are doing it, you can tell they don't like it! Thank you for bringing all this great info out. I put a blurb on my forum with your link ! I hope everyone comes here to read this. Hi,

Super article! What gets me is that for ears, I have always said, please give me a prescription! I can get it at half the cost on line.

This usually causes a look of *disbelief* on the part of the doctor, ROFLOL almost as though I just asked them for their first born son. I have seen this look so many times on a vets face, that now I almost laugh! They do give me a script, but all the wile they are doing it, you can tell they don’t like it!

Thank you for bringing all this great info out.

I put a blurb on my forum with your link ! I hope everyone comes here to read this.

]]> By: Mark Bullock http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-244914 Mark Bullock Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:51:44 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-244914 It's disappointing to hear so often that those who are supposed to be protecting our beloved pets are pushing unhealthy products on them instead. Unfortunately, I'm not so sure that nutrition is something that vets are aware of as they should be. After the pet-food recall, my girlfriend and I did lots of research on pet foods. We were surprised at the great difficulty we had in finding foods and treats that were both healthy for pets (human grade meat from one source, actual vegetables, no dyes, preservatives, or other chemicals, etc.), and not sourcing any ingredients from China). As a dogwalker in Chicago, my girlfriend has been instrumental in advising many of her clients on their dogs. She recently chose to expand her business to offer her clients some of the best products available on the market. I think it's pretty cool to see the changes and improvements that truly good quality food has had on our own and her clients' pets. It’s disappointing to hear so often that those who are supposed to be protecting our beloved pets are pushing unhealthy products on them instead. Unfortunately, I’m not so sure that nutrition is something that vets are aware of as they should be. After the pet-food recall, my girlfriend and I did lots of research on pet foods. We were surprised at the great difficulty we had in finding foods and treats that were both healthy for pets (human grade meat from one source, actual vegetables, no dyes, preservatives, or other chemicals, etc.), and not sourcing any ingredients from China). As a dogwalker in Chicago, my girlfriend has been instrumental in advising many of her clients on their dogs. She recently chose to expand her business to offer her clients some of the best products available on the market. I think it’s pretty cool to see the changes and improvements that truly good quality food has had on our own and her clients’ pets.

]]> By: emily http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-244269 emily Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:00:17 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-244269 Not tainted feed. Everyone knew meat by-products were in there and intended them to be in there, but did not know that they were dangerous. In fact many feeds still contain some kind of meat byproduct, often fish or blood. I would be very, very surpised to find eutanised pets in any tyoe of feed and would assume that book to simply be dead wrong. Euthasia chemicals alone would bar them from being included in feed. They might be rendered for non-food products. Not tainted feed. Everyone knew meat by-products were in there and intended them to be in there, but did not know that they were dangerous. In fact many feeds still contain some kind of meat byproduct, often fish or blood.

I would be very, very surpised to find eutanised pets in any tyoe of feed and would assume that book to simply be dead wrong. Euthasia chemicals alone would bar them from being included in feed. They might be rendered for non-food products.

]]> By: Marie Finnegan http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-243729 Marie Finnegan Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:37:15 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-243729 While livestock feed may be more regulated now, didn't mad cow disease begin because of tainted feed? Feeding slaughtered cows to other cows I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong. And there is a book out that cites the use of euthanised pets in pet foods in our country as well. (unsure if I am allowed to put that title on here so I won't) So I can't say I put much stock in government regulations. While livestock feed may be more regulated now, didn’t mad cow disease begin because of tainted feed? Feeding slaughtered cows to other cows I believe. Correct me if I’m wrong. And there is a book out that cites the use of euthanised pets in pet foods in our country as well. (unsure if I am allowed to put that title on here so I won’t) So I can’t say I put much stock in government regulations.

]]> By: Barbara A. Albright http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-243634 Barbara A. Albright Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:27:45 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/03/23/conflicts-of-interest-in-veterinary-medicine/#comment-243634 Full disclosure encompasses a lot more than interests from/in drug and food manufacturers. Support for federal introduction of a bill requiring the veterinary industry to provide full written disclosure is an absolute must: #1 whether clinic possesses valid DEA license to prescribe needed medications, particularly schedule11 narcotics #2written disclosure of your pet's prognosis with treatment, including the success/failure rate at their facility & written updates every 24/48 hours #3 any conflicts of interest or motivation for treatment of your pet, such as affiliation with a educational/teaching program and any enumeration derived from such #4 any funding received from other than client based treatments #5 why particular medication/drugs have been chosen for your pet and why #6 If a referral patient/client relationship is made, what the clinic that refers derives from the "referral" whether monetary or otherwise These are just a few "disclosures" that could have prevented tremendous harm and cruelty to myself and my pet. details: http://walnut-hill.bravehost.com Pocket's Story from NH Full disclosure encompasses a lot more than interests from/in drug and food manufacturers.

Support for federal introduction of a bill requiring the veterinary industry to provide full written disclosure is an absolute must:

#1 whether clinic possesses valid DEA license to prescribe needed medications, particularly schedule11 narcotics
#2written disclosure of your pet’s prognosis with treatment, including the success/failure rate at their facility & written updates every 24/48 hours
#3 any conflicts of interest or motivation for treatment of your pet, such as affiliation with a educational/teaching program and any enumeration derived from such
#4 any funding received from other than client based treatments
#5 why particular medication/drugs have been chosen for your pet and why
#6 If a referral patient/client relationship is made, what the clinic that refers derives from the “referral” whether monetary or otherwise

These are just a few “disclosures” that could have prevented tremendous harm and cruelty to myself and my pet.

details: http://walnut-hill.bravehost.com
Pocket’s Story from NH

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