NEWS &VIEWScontinued from page 10


phased implementation schedule outlined in the revised regulations which are available at www.mda.maryland.gov/pdf/fi nalnmregs.pdf. Farmers with questions about Maryland’s re- vised nutrient management regulations should contact their regional nutrient management specialist or Jo A. Mercer, Nutrient Manage- ment Program Administrator at 410-841-5959 or jo.mercer@maryland.gov.


Linda Zang Earns USEF Award T e U.S. Equestrian Federation has awarded


the Pegasus Medal of Honor to Linda Zang of Davidsonville for over 30 years of commit- ment to equestrian sports. T e annual award recognizes individuals who have exhibited out- standing service to horses and equestrian sports through their work in the industry. Zang has been a prominent fi gure in the


sport of dressage in the U.S. and in Europe. As a competitor, Zang rode for the U.S. at


the 1978 World Championships, 1979 Pan American Games and the 1980 Alternate Olympic Games. She has judged at numerous FEI World Cup Finals as well as at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She also served as a technical delegate at the 1999 Pan American Games and the 2004 Olympic Games in Ath- ens. She was a former member of the USEF Board of Governors, USEF Hearing Com- mittee and FEI Dressage Committee. Zang currently serves as a member of the USEF Li- censed Offi cials Committee and the Ad Hoc CDI Committee.


Study Finds Horse Park Vital to Horse Industry Growth


Phase One of a new study conducted by


the Maryland Horse Industry Board and the Maryland Stadium Authority has found that the concept of developing a Maryland Horse Park continues to be vital to the growth of the


1) T e Law Requires a Valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relation- ship (VCPR): Veterinary prescription drugs are those drugs restricted by federal law to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian [Section 503(f) Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act]. T e law requires that the drug sponsor label such drugs with the statement: “Caution: Federal law re- stricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.” Also applicable is the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987


(PDMA), a federal law enacted to ensure that drug products purchased by consumers are safe and eff ective, and to avoid the unacceptable risk to American consumers from counterfeit, adulterated, misbranded, sub- potent, or expired drugs. T e legislation was necessary to increase safe- guards in the drug distribution system to prevent the introduction and retail sale of substandard, ineff ective, or counterfeit drugs. Before prescribing a medication, there must be a valid “Veterinarian- Client-Patient Relationship” (VCPR), which means that the animal must be seen by a licensed veterinarian prior to any therapy being ad- ministered. A valid VCPR also requires that the vet take responsibility for medical and treatment judgments for the animal, that the vet has close knowledge of the animal and its medical condition obtained by examination, and that the vet be available for follow up visits or have emergency coverage in the event of adverse reactions or failure of the treatment regimen. Prescription drugs dispensed by an online pharmacy or veterinarian without a written prescription from a vet who has examined the animal falls outside the boundaries of the law, in other words, its illegal.


2) T e law requires that a vet doing business in Maryland be licensed by the state. T e State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (SBVME) urges consumers to take the simple step of checking either its webpage or the state’s online database (each of which is updated monthly) to make sure a veterinarian is properly licensed to practice in Maryland before requesting treatment or medications for their animals. If a veterinarian is not on the SBVME’s list, the individual is likely not legally allowed to practice in Maryland. Check the PDF list: http://mda2.maryland.gov/vetboard/Documents/


current_vetsFY13.PDF See a searchable database at: https://data.maryland.gov/Agriculture/


Veterinarians/57p3-3mwi To keep licenses in good standing, veterinarians must meet continuing education requirements and other professional standards regulated by


www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580


state’s horse industry. However, the new study off ers some new approaches that diff er from the initial study conducted in 2005. T e original study recommended building a large central facility similar to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. T e new study fi nds that Maryland already has many of the essential components for such a park at ex- isting facilities. It is now suggested that a new horse park can be made up of a system of exist- ing and perhaps upgraded equine facilities across the state that can be linked together and operate cooperatively rather than as individual venues. Phase Two of the study will investigate what is needed to maximize the use of the state’s current equine facilities and study the poten- tial these facilities have for attracting national and international events, competition and visi- tors to Maryland. T is phase is scheduled to begin early this year and conclude by this fall. continued on page 52


STOP! Five things Maryland horse people should know before purchasing prescription drugs!


the SBVME. Veterinarians and veterinary hospital owners must renew their licenses with the Board every year. T e SBVME also investigates consumer complaints against veterinarians.


3) While the law requires that a licensed Maryland vet examine your animal before a medication is prescribed, you do not have to purchase the prescription drugs from your vet. According to the law, prescription drugs “shall be dispensed only by or upon the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian in the course of the veterinarian’s professional practice” and can be then fi lled by a pharmacist properly licensed to do business in Maryland. Your regular vet can provide you with a written prescription, which can then be fi lled by another pharmacist, including properly licensed online pharmacies.


4) Pharmacists must be licensed in Maryland! As of October 1, 2012, all “nonresident pharmacies” (including those online) selling drugs in Maryland are required to have a pharmacist on staff who is licensed by the Maryland Board of Pharmacy and is designated as the pharmacist responsible for providing pharmaceutical services to patients in Mary- land, and are required to refer all Maryland clients or patients to that Maryland-licensed pharmacist.


5) It’s my horse! I should be able to buy prescription drugs when and from whom I wish! Should you choose to do that, while you are enabling someone else to break the law, you are also putting at risk the health of your horse and your potential ability to fi nd legal recourse if something goes wrong.


Consider this scenario: A horse comes in lame, so, rather than call the vet, the owner treats the horse (to see how it does) with bute (purchased for a great price but without a prescription from the owner’s regular vet) for a week. T ere is no improvement, so the owner fi nally calls the vet. It turns out that the horse had a puncture wound in its foot, which had now became septic and required surgery. However, the horse developed colonic ulcers from the bute. Turns out, unbeknownst to the owner, the “bargain bute” was double strength. T e horse ended up dying. What recourse does this owner have? None. Bute, or phenylbutazone, is a prescription drug, and it was not pur- chased through a Maryland licensed dealer with a prescription issued by the owner’s regular vet.


JANUARY 2013 | THE EQUIERY | 51


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