college connection
POLICY NEWS
COUNCIL COVERS A RANGE OF POLICY TOPICS IN DECEMBER
Products not requiring a
prescription
guidance on the use of forms of energy.
Current forms of energy used in practice
include cryotherapy, shock-wave, laser and
ultrasound.
At the December meeting, Council decided
to develop a policy statement concerning
the sale of non-prescription veterinary
substances and products.
Currently, a veterinarian is required to
establish a veterinarian-client-patient
relationship (VCPR) and conduct either
a physical exam or a farm visit before
prescribing a drug, substance or product
for an animal. This requirement has been
a source of frustration for the public and
veterinarians as certain products are readily
available at retail outlets.
Council has previously considered various
options for veterinary substances or products
and whether they require a VCPR.
Recently, the prescribing and dispensing
working group discussed the topic and
determined there is value in a client
obtaining products from a veterinarian who
is knowledgeable about a product and can
provide counselling to the client within a
VCPR. The working group also suggested
a veterinarian needs to be held to a higher
standard than a general retailer and
dispensing a product should include client
counselling.
The draft policy will outline what can be
sold without a prescription, the requirement
to establish a VCPR, who can sell non-
prescription veterinary products, what
information on the transaction is needed in the
At a meeting later this year, Council will be
provided with an analysis on the the use of
forms of energy in the treatment of animals,
associated risks, and strategies for risk
mitigation.
Rabies Programs
medical record, and any follow-up obligations
for a veterinarian. The practice of veterinary
medicine needs to be at the forefront of daily
operations of accredited veterinary facilities.
Clinics and hospitals are not intended to
operate as pharmacies and/or retail locations.
Watch for a draft policy statement on the sale
of non-prescription veterinary substances
and products to be reviewed by Council this
spring.
Forms of energy
In serving the public interest, the College
manages the risks involved in the practice
of veterinary medicine and seeks to reduce
the potential for harm to animals and people.
The use of forms of energy in the treatment
of animals has been identified as a risk that
requires Council’s attention.
The College does not have any policy
The College is proud to support veterinarians
in efforts to increase the number of animals
who are vaccinated for rabies and, as a result,
reduce the risk of human exposure to the
rabies virus.
Through its Professional Practice Standard:
Rabies Programs, Council permits the
administration of rabies vaccines at
unaccredited or accredited veterinary
facilities without a veterinarian-client-patient
relationship. The standard contains multiple
expectations connected with the delivery of
rabies programs in this manner.
It has been suggested by veterinarians
that the Rabies Programs may pose a risk
to the health and welfare of animals. The
Accreditation Committee reviewed these
concerns and proposed changes to the
standard. The standard has been revised to
include the necessity that vaccines are stored
appropriately to maintain safety and efficacy.
The revised standard can be found at cvo.org/
rabies.
RECENT DISCIPLINE SUMMARIES NOW POSTED
The outcomes of discipline hearings are
public information and are intended to provide
a greater understanding of the veterinary
profession’s accountability to the public.
Summaries are posted on the College website
(www.cvo.org/Discipline-Orders) and findings
are noted on the Public Register. Disciplinary
decisions are available by contacting the
College. The following discipline summary
was recently posted:
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College Connection
Dr. Alaa Aziz
As a result of the uncontested professional
misconduct hearing on June 22, 2018, the
member was suspended for three months and
completed mentorship sessions focused on
assessments, treatment and post-operative
care. The College investigation found the
member’s handling of a cat’s medical
procedures fell below the standard expected
by the College.
The member proceeded with an aggressive
treatment path without the client’s informed
consent. In addition to the suspension
and mentorship, the member completed a
learnings paper and was assessed by a peer
each month following his return to practice.
The member is required to pay costs to the
College of $5,000.
Read a full summary on this case at:
www.cvo.org/Discipline-Orders