Senate Passes King Measure to Support Mobile Veterinarians in Maine

Press Release

The Senate last night unanimously passed the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act authored by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). The bipartisan legislation will allow veterinarians to legally carry and dispense controlled substances to protect the health and welfare of the nation's animals, ensure public safety, and safeguard the nation's food supply.

"I am very pleased the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act passed the Senate," Senator King said. "Working in a rural state like Maine often requires veterinarians to travel long distances in order to provide care to animals on farms, in homes, and at shelters. This bill will grant properly licensed veterinarians the right to carry and administer controlled substances, including important medications, allowing them to do their job."

The 1970 Controlled Substances Act (CSA) stipulates that controlled substances must be stored and dispensed at the specific address veterinarians have on file with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA enforces the CSA and has informed organized veterinary medicine that without a statutory change, veterinarians are in violation and cannot legally provide complete veterinary care.

The practice of veterinary medicine requires veterinarians to treat patients in a variety of settings, including rural areas, "house calls" or mobile clinics, research and disease control activities, emergency response situations, and removal or transfer of dangerous wildlife.

The legislation is by the endorsed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

"Mobile veterinarians perform much of their work in irregular and unpredictable locations," said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. "Mobile spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, disaster responses, and animal cruelty investigations necessitate travel to remote and underserved communities. We thank the Senate for ensuring that mobile veterinarians across the nation can continue to serve their patients wherever animals need care."

"The Senate's action proves that our nation's leaders are listening to the veterinary profession and are diligently working to ensure that animals in all settings continue to receive the best quality care," said Dr. Clark Fobian, president of the AVMA. "To be a veterinarian, you must be willing to go to your patients when they cannot come to you, and this means being able to bring all of the vital medications you need in your medical bag. We are pleased that the Senate has taken action to fix a loophole in federal regulation, which has concerned veterinarians over the past few years, and urge the U.S. House to swiftly follow suit."

Source