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AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division has developed a new infographic illustrating the various settings in which a veterinarian may need to transport and use controlled substances for the health and welfare of their animal patients. The graphic calls on Congress to quickly pass the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2013 (H.R. 1528), which will amend the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to allow veterinarians the ability to legally transport and use certain medications beyond their brick-and-mortar clinics.

The issue of veterinarians carrying and using controlled substances beyond their registered places of business arose after recent notifications by the Drug Enforcement Administration to California and Washington state veterinarians that they are in violation of the CSA.

Without a legislative fix, veterinarians cannot legally transport certain medications—such as those used for pain management, anesthesia and euthanasia—to treat their animal patients. This issue is very problematic for veterinarians, including those who treat large animals and livestock, veterinarians who operate mobile clinics or provide house calls, those that assist in emergency response or public safety situations, and others who conduct field research.

The Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2013, introduced by veterinarians and U.S. Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) and Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) on April 12, aims to fix this situation so that veterinarians can do the job they need to do using the tools they need to do it.

AVMA members are encouraged to share the infographic (seen at right) with others. AVMA members who support this legislation can also visit the Legislative Action Center to urge their elected officials to support this bill.

Stay informed about federal legislation that will impact veterinary medicine by signing up for the AVMA Congressional Action Network’s action e-list.