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IVMA Position Statements:
Non-licensed Practice of Veterinary Medicine – approved by IVMA Board of Directors – September 16, 2008
ISSUE: Non-veterinarians are assuming a title that has no legal definition but implies expertise in an area that is legally defined as the practice of veterinary medicine.
- According to IC 25-38.1-1-12(1) and (2), the practice of veterinary medicine means
- (1) representing oneself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary surgery, or veterinary dentistry or any of their branches or specialties;
- (2) using words, letters, or titles in a connection or under circumstances that may induce another person to believe that the person using them is engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, veterinary surgery, or veterinary dentistry
POLICY: Therefore, the position of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association is that a person can not use a title to imply that they have expertise in some aspect of veterinary medicine for which they are not properly licensed. In the view of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, using a title to imply expertise or legal right to perform veterinary medical procedures without legal qualifications would constitute a form of fraud of the public. It would also be a violation of the veterinary practice act as found in IC 25-38.1.
ACTION: In order to protect public health and safety for the public and the animals of Indiana, if a veterinarian discovers that a non-licensed, non-qualified individual is misrepresenting themselves by use of a title or other public representation, this person is violating this law and should be reported to their county prosecutor and/or county sheriff, or the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Indiana.
Contact information for the Office of the Attorney General – 800/382-5516 or www.indianaconsumer.com.
IVMA Position Statement on Veterinary Non-Prescription Sales – June 2008
Issue: Veterinarians are sometimes approached by a retail company or other business entity to participate in a for-profit program that distributes or redistributes non-prescription medications in a manner that is inconsistent with the stated sales and distribution policies of the drug’s manufacturer. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics, under VI, THERAPIES, subsection D states: It is unethical for veterinarians to use or permit the use of their names, signatures, or professional status in connection with the resale of ethical products in a manner which violates those directions or conditions specified by the manufacturer to ensure the safe and efficacious use of the product.
- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics, under XII, GLOSSARY, defines “ethical product” as “a product for which the manufacturer has voluntarily limited the sale to veterinarians as a marketing decision. Such products are often given a different product name and are packaged differently than products that are sold directly to consumers. “Ethical products” are sold only to veterinarians as a condition of sale that is specified in a sales agreement or on the product label.”
- It should be the veterinarian’s ethical obligation to protect the public by not participating in these types of programs.
Policy: Therefore, the position of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association is that veterinarians should not participate in re-sale programs that sell products in a manner that is contrary to manufacturers’ sales policies and could compromise public health and safety.
~approved by IVMA Board of Directors, June 18, 2008
Animal Fighting, adopted 09/07 ~
The IVMA condemns events involving animals in which injury or death is
intended. The IVMA supports the enforcement of laws against the use and
transport of animals and equipment for fighting ventures. Further, the IVMA
recommends that animal fighting be considered a felony offense. The IVMA
encourages veterinarians to collaborate with law enforcement with respect to
recognition, enforcement, and education.
Private Ownership of Wild Animals, adopted 09/07 ~
The IVMA recommends limiting or prohibiting private ownership (as defined below) of indigenous and non-native wild animals that pose a significant risk to public health, domestic animal health, or the ecosystem, as well as those species whose welfare is unacceptably compromised. Except under special circumstances (such as recognized conservation and research programs), the IVMA especially supports regulatory efforts to prohibit private ownership, and the importation for the purpose of private ownership, of non-native animals that threaten public health, domestic animal health, indigenous wild animal health, agriculture, or the ecosystem, as well as those species whose welfare is unacceptably compromised.
Definitions:
* Private ownership - Ownership by individuals, non-public entities or institutions that are exempt from the Animal Welfare Act.
* Wild - Species that have not yet been subjected to domestication or that may be in the process of being domesticated. These species may be indigenous to North America or non-native (exotic).
* Non-native (Exotic) - Originally imported species; not native to
North America; not domesticated.
* Indigenous - Native to North America.
Basic Legislative Information
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