The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has called for pharmacies to have “ready access” to a veterinary drug reference such as Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs—the digital platform of the widely used Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook—if it applies to services they provide. Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs applauds the NABP for making this update to the Model State Pharmacy Act. The importance of having current, reliable information about veterinary medications cannot be overlooked.
“Access to up-to-date drug information is key in understanding the significant differences between dispensing medications for people versus pets.”
Donald C. Plumb, PharmD, Creator of the Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook
Lauren A. Trepanier, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP, an internist and pharmacologist at University of Wisconsin–Madison, also stressed that pharmacists should be aware of important information about veterinary drugs.
“With more and more human drugs being scripted out for use in companion animals, it is really important for human pharmacists to be aware of veterinary-specific contraindications and dosing.”
Lauren A. Trepanier, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP
About NABP and the Model State Pharmacy Act
According to its website, the NABP “recognizes and supports pharmacists serving as the healthcare professionals responsible for providing patient care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes [and] recognizes the ongoing and critical need for patients’ medications to be managed by a licensed pharmacist and state regulatory agencies to aggressively enforce standards of care.”
There are more than 50 NABP member boards of pharmacy across the US. There are also associate member boards in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, and New Zealand.
The NABP does not have regulatory authority over member boards. However, its Model State Pharmacy Act provides boards with “model language that may be used when developing state laws or board rules.”
The 2015 Model State Pharmacy Act and Model Rules of the NABP includes the rule that:
Each Pharmacy shall have ready access to references, to include at least one current reference in each of the following categories, if applicable to the services provided:
- State and Federal Drug laws relating to the Practice of Pharmacy and the legal Distribution of Drugs and any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto;
- pharmacology;
- dosage and toxicology;
- veterinary Drugs; and
- general
About Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs
Developed in partnership with renowned author Donald C. Plumb, PharmD, Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs is a suitable veterinary drug reference for any pharmacy dispensing medication to small animals.
Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs provides rapid access, continual updates, and alerts on new drugs. It is accessible online as well as via an iOS app (with an Android app planned for future release). It includes the entire contents of the 8th edition of the Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. This edition is the most comprehensive revision to Plumb’s yet.
“With our peer-reviewed publications and point-of-care tools, Brief Media strives to provide veterinarians with trusted clinical information in an efficient format. The [NABP] has recognized that such information is of vital importance for pharmacists to assure patient safety, whether it be for humans or their beloved pets.”
Elizabeth Green, Brief Media Founder and CEO