Veterinarians return to the offensive against the drug law after a year of implementation

PalmThe veterinarians of the Balearic Islands They continue to demand changes to the new regulations governing prescription medications. Despite the modifications made by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, almost a year after the regulations came into effect, the Official College of Veterinarians of the Balearic Islands (COVIB) believes they are "not enough" and that "work must continue to fully adapt the law to the realities of clinical practice." Therefore, COVIB will support the demonstration called for this Wednesday in Madrid by the Veterinary Professional Organization (OCV) to highlight the ongoing discontent within the sector. Attendees will demand a real reduction in the bureaucratic burden of the system that controls veterinary antibiotic prescriptions (Presvet), greater flexibility in the use of antimicrobials based on clinical criteria, and a review of the medication transfer mechanism, among other demands.

The Balearic Islands Veterinary Association (COVIB) has not organized any regional demonstrations for this Wednesday, although it will assist with travel expenses for its members from the islands who wish to attend the demonstration in Madrid and will cover some of the costs. However, professionals in the islands emphasize that the Ministry has made some changes, such as the explicit recognition of the possibility of using off-label medications according to the veterinarian's clinical judgment and greater flexibility in the use and prescription of antibiotics, among other measures. They believe that the modifications "are a step in the right direction and confirm the dialogue" with the Spanish government. A year ago, the implementation of the new regulations divided the sector and provoked complaints. "Thanks to the OCV, which represents the veterinary associations of Spain, and which has taken the lead in negotiations with the Spanish government, veterinarians are somewhat more united," explain sources within the sector, but they clarify that there are still some issues to address. disagreements among veterinarians"There is a part of the group that wants to prescribe the veterinary medicine And by law, only pharmacists can do that."