The title reflects the views of many veterinary clinic clients but it begs the question as to whether vets are genuinely expensive. The infographic below provides a balanced, highly summarised assessment. Below there are some extended discussions.
Perhaps the first point in the infographic is the most important: perception. Combine this with general post-Covid inflation plus corporate (as opposed to independent, partner-owned vets) management demanding increased profits and you have higher prices. The widespread purchasing of independent vets has no doubt forced up prices.
“Money has always formed a barrier between the farmer and the vet.” – James Herriot in the 1972 novel All Creatures Great and Small. This is a comment on the perception problem caused by the ‘free’ NHS in the UK.
More: CMA investigates UK veterinary market (details in infographic)
Below are some selected extended discussions about the points raised in the infographic.
Is it fair to say that some veterinary clinic chains might be tempted to exploit the emotional connection between pet and human to hike up their prices?
Yes, it is fair to say that some veterinary clinic chains might be tempted to exploit the emotional connection between pets and their owners to hike up prices. While many veterinary clinics prioritize ethical care and fair pricing, the emotional attachment that pet owners have to their animals can create opportunities for pricing practices that may not always be in the best interest of the customer.
Here are some ways this dynamic can be exploited:
1. Emotional Leverage for Upselling
- Pet owners often view their animals as family members, and their desire to provide the best possible care can lead them to be more willing to spend money on treatments and services. Some veterinary clinic chains may take advantage of this by upselling unnecessary tests, treatments, or medications under the guise of ensuring the pet’s well-being.
- For example, a vet may recommend expensive diagnostics or premium treatments that may not be medically necessary, but which pet owners agree to out of fear of not doing enough for their pet’s health.
2. High-Pressure Sales Tactics
- In situations where a pet is seriously ill or injured, emotions run high, and pet owners may feel pressured to agree to costly procedures or treatments without fully understanding their necessity or efficacy. Veterinary chains, especially those that operate on a for-profit model, may exploit these situations by pushing more expensive options when more affordable or equally effective alternatives exist.
- This can be particularly evident in emergency care situations, where time pressure and stress make pet owners more vulnerable to making quick, costly decisions.
3. Charging Premium Prices for Routine Care
- Some veterinary chains might charge higher-than-average prices for routine services (e.g., vaccinations, wellness exams, flea and tick treatments) that could be done at a lower cost elsewhere. Because pet owners often prioritize convenience and trust in their vet, they may not compare prices or consider alternatives like lower-cost clinics or online pharmacies for medications.
- The chain’s branding and marketing may reinforce the perception that their services are of superior quality, even when the care provided is not necessarily better than that offered by independent or smaller veterinary practices.
4. Bundling Services or Treatment Plans
- Veterinary chains sometimes offer bundled services or treatment plans that include a range of diagnostics, treatments, and medications. While these packages can be helpful in some cases, they may also include unnecessary services that inflate the total cost of care.
- Pet owners may feel obligated to purchase these plans because they’re presented as being “comprehensive” or the “best option” for the animal’s health, even if some of the services aren’t needed.
5. Markups on Medications and Supplies
- Many veterinary clinics, including large chains, mark up the prices of medications and supplies significantly compared to what pet owners could pay at a pharmacy or through an online retailer. Pet owners often trust their vet’s recommendations and may not realize they are paying a premium for medications that could be sourced more affordably elsewhere.
- Some clinics might discourage or make it difficult for clients to get prescriptions filled at external pharmacies, directing them instead to buy from the clinic’s own dispensary, where prices may be higher.
6. Corporate Profit Motives
- Large veterinary chains, particularly those owned by private equity firms or corporations, are often driven by profit motives. This can lead to a focus on revenue generation through increased pricing, upselling services, and promoting expensive diagnostics or treatments. In such business models, veterinarians and staff may be under pressure to meet sales targets or quotas, which can shift the focus from the pet’s well-being to maximizing profits.
- Corporate-owned chains may also have standardized pricing across all locations, which might not account for regional differences in cost of living or local competition, leading to inflated prices in some areas.
7. Emotional Language and Marketing
- Veterinary clinics may use emotional language in their communication with pet owners to reinforce the idea that higher-priced services or treatments are necessary. For example, phrases like “doing everything you can” or “the best care for your family member” can manipulate pet owners into agreeing to costly treatments without considering other factors like financial limitations or the actual medical need for the proposed intervention.
8. Pet Insurance Influence
- The growth of pet insurance has also contributed to some price inflation in veterinary care. With more pet owners having insurance, some clinics might be more inclined to recommend pricier treatments or diagnostics, knowing that insurance will cover part of the cost. This can lead to higher overall bills, which ultimately impacts both insured and uninsured clients.
Not All Clinics Exploit These Practices
It’s important to note that not all veterinary clinics, including large chains, engage in these practices. Many veterinarians prioritize ethical care and work hard to offer reasonable pricing while ensuring the best possible treatment for the animals they care for. Additionally, independent or smaller clinics may often be more flexible with pricing or less likely to push unnecessary treatments.
How Pet Owners Can Protect Themselves
To avoid being exploited by emotional sales tactics, pet owners can take several steps:
- Ask questions: Understand the necessity of each recommended procedure, test, or treatment.
- Get a second opinion: If something seems unnecessary or too expensive, seeking a second opinion from another vet can provide perspective.
- Compare prices: For routine medications or treatments, it’s worthwhile to check prices at other veterinary clinics or pharmacies.
- Be informed: Research the standard of care for your pet’s condition to make more informed decisions about recommended treatments.
In summary, while the emotional connection between pets and their owners can sometimes be exploited by veterinary chains to inflate prices, it is important to recognize that not all clinics engage in this behavior. Pet owners can protect themselves by being informed, asking questions, and considering alternatives when faced with high-pressure or costly recommendations.
In the UK we have the NHS for humans, free at the point of delivery. Does this result in Britons being unaware of the cost of medical care which means they think veterinary prices are unjustifiably high?
Yes, the presence of the NHS in the UK, which provides healthcare free at the point of delivery for humans, can contribute to a perception among Britons that veterinary prices are unjustifiably high. This can happen for several reasons related to the different ways people experience human healthcare under the NHS compared to veterinary care, where costs are more directly visible. Here are some key factors that explain this perception:
1. Lack of Direct Exposure to Healthcare Costs
- In the UK, most people do not directly pay for routine healthcare services because the NHS covers the cost. While taxes fund the NHS, Britons rarely see an itemized bill for medical services like GP visits, hospital stays, surgeries, or medication.
- As a result, many people may be unaware of the true costs involved in delivering healthcare—such as the price of diagnostic tests, surgeries, consultations, and medications—because they don’t have to pay for them out-of-pocket. This contrasts sharply with veterinary care, where pet owners are responsible for covering all costs directly. Seeing a veterinary bill for similar services can feel like a shock, even though the costs of running a veterinary clinic (staff, equipment, medications) are comparable to those of a human medical practice.
2. The Expectation of Free Healthcare
- Because the NHS provides free healthcare for humans, many Britons have an expectation that healthcare, in general, should be affordable or even free. When faced with the need to pay for veterinary care, this expectation can lead to a perception that the prices are excessively high, especially for those who aren’t used to paying for medical services at all.
- While people intellectually understand that the NHS doesn’t extend to pets, the contrast between free human healthcare and the fully-paid veterinary system can create a psychological disconnect where veterinary prices feel disproportionate or unfair.
3. Human Healthcare Subsidies and Economies of Scale
- The NHS benefits from economies of scale, government subsidies, and central procurement of medications and equipment, which help keep costs lower than in private healthcare systems. This large-scale system allows the NHS to negotiate better prices for drugs, medical equipment, and services.
- Veterinary practices, on the other hand, do not have the same bargaining power or economies of scale, so their costs for medications, diagnostic equipment, and supplies may be higher on a per-patient basis. Pet owners, accustomed to the efficiency and lower cost structure of the NHS, may not realize the higher operational costs faced by private veterinary clinics.
4. Direct Payment for Veterinary Services
- One of the biggest differences between human and veterinary healthcare in the UK is how payment is handled. In the NHS, costs are covered by taxes, so there’s no direct transaction at the time of treatment. In veterinary care, however, pet owners are expected to pay upfront or shortly after treatment, which makes the cost more transparent and immediate.
- This direct payment system can feel expensive because there is no “buffer” like the NHS to absorb or subsidize costs. The visibility of these costs can lead to the perception that veterinary services are more expensive than they are, when in reality, they are comparable to the costs of human healthcare in countries without nationalized systems.
5. Perception of Profit-Driven Veterinary Clinics
- Unlike the NHS, which is a public service, veterinary practices are private businesses. This can lead to a perception that veterinary clinics are more focused on profit, especially when they charge what might seem like high fees for consultations, surgeries, or medications.
- Some veterinary chains are owned by large corporations, which can exacerbate the perception that prices are being set to maximize profit rather than solely for the well-being of the animals. This profit-driven model stands in stark contrast to the publicly funded NHS, which may be seen as more altruistic and service-oriented.
6. Costs of Medications
- The cost of medications is another area where pet owners may feel the difference between human and veterinary care. Under the NHS, prescription medications for humans are heavily subsidized, and most people pay a fixed, relatively low price for each prescription (or nothing at all for certain groups, like children, pensioners, or low-income individuals). In contrast, pet owners pay the full price for medications, which can feel expensive in comparison to the subsidized costs under the NHS.
- Many pet medications are similar to human medications, and seeing a high price for something that seems comparable to a human drug might lead people to think they’re being overcharged, especially since they’re not used to paying full price for medicines.
7. Veterinary Care as a “Luxury”
- Because human healthcare is a right in the UK, thanks to the NHS, veterinary care can feel like a luxury by comparison. The need to pay for veterinary services can lead to a perception that pet care is less essential or that the costs are inflated.
- Additionally, some pet owners may not have planned for the financial burden of caring for a pet’s medical needs, which can make veterinary costs seem more unreasonable when they arise unexpectedly. This is particularly true for emergency veterinary services or chronic conditions that require long-term treatment.
8. Lack of Insurance Awareness
- Unlike the NHS, veterinary care is not automatically covered, although pet insurance can help cover these costs. However, many pet owners either do not have pet insurance or may not fully understand how it works. Without insurance, pet owners must bear the full brunt of veterinary costs, which can feel particularly expensive when they compare it to their “free” NHS healthcare.
- Additionally, even those with pet insurance might face high deductibles or co-pays, leading to out-of-pocket expenses that seem high relative to the healthcare experience they’re used to with the NHS.
9. Expectations of Comparable Care
- The quality of care provided by the NHS is generally high, and many Britons expect a similar standard for their pets. Veterinary care, however, operates under different circumstances, with smaller teams, less government support, and fewer specialists. This means that while the cost might seem high, the infrastructure and resources available to veterinarians are different from those in large, publicly funded NHS hospitals.
- People may not always recognize these differences and may expect similar care at a lower cost, which can create frustration and the perception that veterinary prices are too high.
Conclusion
The existence of the NHS in the UK, with its free healthcare at the point of delivery, can indeed contribute to Britons being unaware of the true costs of medical care, making veterinary prices seem unjustifiably high in comparison. Because they are accustomed to receiving human healthcare without paying directly, many people may not fully appreciate the costs involved in providing veterinary care, such as staffing, equipment, medications, and overheads. This contrast can lead to misunderstandings about the fairness of veterinary pricing, even though veterinary care often involves similar costs to human healthcare in non-nationalized systems.
Below is an extended discussion about veterinary drugs for animals as this is mentioned in the infographic. Like all these things it is unwise sometimes to oversimplify the arguments as they can be quite complex and nuanced. Vet clients might think that animal drugs are unjustifiably expensive. They might be right but the arguments are involved. For me the biggest reason why vet drugs are most costly in general than human drugs is because the profit margins are higher. This may or may not be justified.
Below is a chat with an AI chatbot (ChatGPT) on the topic.
Are the same drugs for animals and humans priced differently and if so, why?
Yes, the same drugs for animals and humans are often priced differently, and there are several reasons for this discrepancy. Even if the active ingredient in a medication is identical, factors such as regulatory differences, market demand, branding, and manufacturing costs can contribute to varying prices. Here are some key reasons for these differences:
1. Regulatory Approvals (FDA vs. Veterinary Agencies)
- Human Drugs: Human medications must go through rigorous testing and approval processes overseen by agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The clinical trials for human drugs are often more extensive and expensive than those for veterinary drugs.
- Animal Drugs: Animal medications may be regulated by agencies like the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) in the U.S., but the approval process is often less expensive and less stringent because the studies are smaller and focused on different safety concerns (e.g., impacts on humans who consume animal products). This difference in regulatory requirements can lead to a lower cost of bringing a veterinary drug to market.
2. Market Demand and Competition
- Human Market: Drugs for humans are generally produced at much larger scales because the human population is larger and demand is higher. Large-scale production can lead to economies of scale, potentially reducing costs.
- Veterinary Market: The veterinary market is smaller, particularly for specific animal species (like horses or exotic pets). Companies may have less competition in the animal drug market and can set higher prices to cover the cost of production and distribution.
3. Branding and Packaging
- Even if the active ingredient is the same, medications for animals and humans are often packaged and branded differently. The marketing, labeling, and packaging for human drugs must meet specific standards, which can add to the cost. For example, a human medication may come with patient instructions, child-resistant packaging, or other consumer safety features that aren’t required for veterinary drugs.
- Additionally, animal drugs are often formulated in different ways (e.g., chewable tablets, flavored syrups) to make them easier to administer to animals, which can affect the price.
4. Insurance Coverage
- Human Drugs: Many people have health insurance that covers prescription medications, which affects how drugs are priced for consumers. Pharmaceutical companies sometimes set higher list prices for human drugs because they know insurance will cover a portion of the cost, with patients only paying a co-pay.
- Animal Drugs: Pet medications are less likely to be covered by insurance (though pet insurance is becoming more common). Pet owners often pay the full cost out of pocket, and veterinary medications may be priced to reflect this market dynamic.
5. Different Forms or Doses
- While the active ingredient may be the same, drugs for humans and animals are often produced in different doses, formulations, or delivery methods. For example, a human drug might come in tablet form, while the animal version might be a flavored liquid. These differences can affect pricing due to manufacturing complexities.
6. Off-Label Use in Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinarians often prescribe human medications for animals “off-label” (i.e., using a drug approved for humans but not specifically approved for animals). In these cases, the cost might be the same or different, depending on whether the human version is used or if there’s a veterinary equivalent. If a cheaper veterinary version exists, it is often used to reduce costs.
7. Research and Development Costs
- Developing a new drug for humans can cost billions of dollars, as the R&D process involves multiple stages of research, clinical trials, and regulatory hurdles. The R&D costs for veterinary medications are generally lower, which can contribute to a lower price for animal drugs in some cases.
8. Patent Protection and Generic Versions
- Drugs for humans are often under patent protection for a certain period, allowing the manufacturer to charge premium prices. When the patent expires, generic versions become available, which lowers the cost. The same applies to veterinary medications, but there are fewer generic veterinary drugs available, and the market dynamics may keep prices higher for longer.
In summary, while the active ingredients in human and veterinary drugs might be the same, a combination of regulatory, market, and economic factors results in price differences between the two.
Do some drug companies expect to make a bigger profit margin from drugs for animals compared to drugs for humans?
Yes, some drug companies do expect to make a bigger profit margin from drugs for animals compared to drugs for humans, and there are several factors that contribute to this expectation:
1. Less Stringent Regulatory Requirements
- The regulatory approval process for animal drugs is generally less expensive and faster compared to human drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other international regulators impose stricter and more costly clinical trial and safety standards for human drugs. For animal drugs, particularly for pets, the studies and trials are usually smaller in scale and less costly. This lowers the research and development (R&D) expenses, which can increase profit margins for companies producing veterinary medications.
2. Fewer Generic Competitors
- The animal pharmaceutical market often has fewer generic alternatives than the human pharmaceutical market. When a drug for humans goes off patent, numerous generic versions typically enter the market, driving down prices and profit margins for the original drug maker. However, in the veterinary market, there is often less competition from generics, allowing companies to maintain higher prices for longer periods.
- Additionally, some drug companies create formulations specifically designed for animals (such as chewable tablets or flavored liquids), which may have fewer competitors, even if the active ingredient is available as a human generic.
3. Niche Markets
- Animal drugs often target smaller, more niche markets. For instance, drugs for livestock, horses, or exotic pets may be priced higher because the market is smaller, and the company needs to recoup its R&D costs from a more limited customer base. In these cases, drug companies may charge premium prices because of limited competition and specialized demand.
- Pet owners, in particular, are often willing to pay higher prices for medications due to the emotional attachment they have to their pets, creating an opportunity for higher profit margins in the companion animal sector.
4. Less Price Regulation
- Pricing in the veterinary drug market is typically less regulated compared to the human drug market. Many countries, including the U.S., have mechanisms like Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance that negotiate or set pricing limits for human drugs. In contrast, veterinary drugs are subject to fewer pricing controls, which gives companies more freedom to set higher prices and achieve greater profits.
5. No Insurance Price Pressure
- In the human drug market, insurance companies and government programs often negotiate lower drug prices. Pharmaceutical companies have to work within these frameworks, which can limit how much profit they can make from a single drug.
- For veterinary drugs, pet insurance is far less widespread, and most pet owners pay out of pocket for medications. This allows pharmaceutical companies to charge more per dose, as there’s no third-party payer pushing back on price increases. Since pet owners usually pay the full cost directly, this market dynamic can lead to higher prices and bigger profit margins.
6. Marketing and Branding Strategies
- Some drug companies market veterinary drugs as premium or specialized products. This is especially true for pet medications, where the emotional attachment to pets can drive owners to pay a premium for the “best” care. Drug companies often use marketing strategies that emphasize the health and well-being of the animal, which can allow them to justify higher prices and boost profits.
- Companion animals are often treated like family members, leading to a higher willingness to pay among pet owners for treatments that might have similar human versions at lower costs. This emotional component can be leveraged for higher margins.
7. Lower R&D Costs, but Similar Pricing
- While R&D costs for veterinary drugs are lower than those for human drugs, the pricing of veterinary medications is often comparable to human drugs. For example, the development process for animal drugs typically requires fewer large-scale clinical trials and less complex safety testing. Despite these lower costs, companies can set prices based on what pet owners are willing to pay rather than the actual cost of development, leading to higher profit margins.
8. Inelastic Demand
- Demand for certain veterinary drugs may be relatively inelastic, particularly for chronic conditions or life-saving treatments for pets. This means that even if prices rise, pet owners are still likely to buy the drugs because their pets’ well-being depends on it. Inelastic demand allows pharmaceutical companies to maintain higher prices without significantly reducing sales, boosting profit margins.
9. Innovation in Pet Medicine
- In recent years, there has been an increase in research and innovation in the pet medication market. Drugs targeting chronic conditions like arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and anxiety in pets are becoming more common. Since these are often seen as cutting-edge treatments for companion animals, drug companies can charge a premium for these innovations, enhancing their profit margins.
Examples of High Profit Margins in Animal Health:
- Zoetis: A leading global animal health company that specializes in vaccines and medications for livestock and pets. Zoetis has reported higher profit margins compared to some human pharmaceutical companies due to the less competitive landscape and fewer generic threats in the veterinary market.
- Elanco and Merck Animal Health: These companies have also seen strong profitability in their animal health divisions, especially in segments like pet medications, which tend to have more premium pricing.
In summary, the veterinary pharmaceutical market offers opportunities for higher profit margins compared to the human drug market, due to less regulatory burden, fewer competitors, niche markets, and consumer behavior that often prioritizes pet health regardless of cost. This allows some drug companies to make more profit per unit sold for animals than for humans.
Why is it generally illegal to use human drugs on animals even when they are the essentially the same?
Using human drugs on animals, even when they are essentially the same, is generally illegal or highly regulated due to several reasons. These reasons primarily relate to safety, efficacy, legal liabilities, and the need for specific veterinary oversight. Here’s an overview of why human drugs are typically restricted for use in animals:
1. Differences in Species Metabolism
- Animals metabolize drugs differently than humans, and even slight variations in how drugs are processed can lead to harmful side effects. A drug that is safe for humans might be toxic to certain animals because of species-specific sensitivities. For example:
- Cats: Cats have a reduced ability to metabolize certain drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is toxic to them even in small doses.
- Dogs: Some drugs, like ibuprofen, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding or kidney failure in dogs, even though they are commonly used in humans for pain and inflammation.
- Because of these differences, veterinarians need to prescribe drugs that are formulated and dosed specifically for the species being treated, to avoid potentially life-threatening reactions.
2. Dosage Concerns
- Even if the active ingredient is the same, the proper dosage for animals can be very different from humans. Animal species vary greatly in size, metabolic rate, and physiology, so a drug that is safe in a small human dose might be dangerous in animals if not dosed properly. For instance:
- Small animals (e.g., cats or small dogs) may require much smaller doses of drugs, and miscalculating the dose could result in an overdose.
- Larger animals (e.g., horses or cattle) need much higher doses, and human formulations may not be practical or effective.
- Veterinarians are trained to account for these differences and to prescribe dosages that are safe and effective for specific animal species.
3. Regulatory Oversight (FDA and Veterinary Agencies)
- In the United States and many other countries, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) regulates animal drugs separately from human drugs. Drugs intended for use in animals must go through a different approval process, which assesses safety, efficacy, and proper dosages for the specific animal species.
- Even if a human drug contains the same active ingredient as a veterinary drug, the way the drug works in animals, how it’s absorbed, and how long it stays in the system (pharmacokinetics) can vary greatly. The FDA does not assume that a drug approved for humans is automatically safe or effective for animals, which is why veterinary-specific trials and approvals are necessary.
- Allowing unregulated use of human drugs in animals without veterinary oversight could lead to misuse, health risks, and unforeseen side effects.
4. Risk of Toxicity
- Certain excipients (inactive ingredients), preservatives, or additives used in human drug formulations may be safe for humans but toxic to animals. Ingredients such as artificial sweeteners (like xylitol, which is toxic to dogs) or dyes that are benign to humans can cause severe health issues in animals.
- Veterinary drugs are formulated specifically with ingredients that are known to be safe for animals, whereas human drugs may contain substances that are harmful when administered to pets.
5. Legal Liabilities and Veterinary Oversight
- Laws governing drug use in animals are in place to ensure that a qualified professional, typically a veterinarian, assesses the animal’s health and prescribes the correct medication. This is essential for ensuring that animals receive appropriate treatment.
- Using human drugs on animals without veterinary guidance can lead to poor outcomes, which might result in legal liability for the pet owner or caretaker. In many countries, it’s illegal for non-veterinarians to administer prescription medications to animals without a veterinarian’s prescription, and misuse can result in fines or legal consequences.
- Veterinarians are also bound by laws and professional standards that require them to prescribe drugs that have been specifically approved for use in animals whenever possible. This is to ensure that animals receive the highest standard of care based on scientific evidence.
6. Public Health Concerns
- In some cases, using human drugs on animals could have public health implications, especially in the context of food-producing animals (e.g., cattle, pigs, chickens). Drugs that are safe for humans could leave residues in the meat, milk, or eggs, which might be harmful to humans who consume those products.
- The FDA and other regulatory agencies have strict rules about drug residues in the food supply to prevent antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, and other health issues. Using unapproved human drugs in livestock could lead to contamination of the food chain.
7. Antimicrobial Resistance
- A significant concern with off-label or unregulated use of human drugs, particularly antibiotics, in animals is the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat in both animals and humans.
- Overuse or misuse of human antibiotics in animals without proper veterinary oversight can contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a risk to public health. Many governments have enacted strict regulations to control the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine to prevent this problem.
8. Economic and Regulatory Protections for the Animal Drug Industry
- Pharmaceutical companies invest significant resources in developing veterinary-specific drugs, including conducting studies to determine safety, dosage, and efficacy in different animal species. Allowing widespread off-label use of human drugs in animals could undermine the economic incentives for developing veterinary medications.
- Regulatory agencies protect the integrity of the veterinary drug market by ensuring that only drugs that have been specifically approved for animals are legally available for veterinary use. This ensures the safety and quality of the animal health industry and protects consumers from potentially unsafe or ineffective treatments.
9. Off-Label Use by Veterinarians
- It’s worth noting that veterinarians can legally prescribe human drugs for animals in some circumstances, known as off-label use or extra-label drug use. However, this is highly regulated and allowed only when there is no approved veterinary drug available for a particular condition, and the veterinarian must follow strict guidelines.
- In the U.S., the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) allows for the off-label use of human drugs in animals under a veterinarian’s supervision, but only if there’s no veterinary-approved alternative, and the use must be based on sound medical judgment.
Conclusion
Human and veterinary drugs, even when they contain the same active ingredient, are treated differently under the law for important reasons related to safety, species-specific needs, regulatory oversight, and public health. Regulatory bodies aim to protect animals from harm by ensuring that only drugs that have been specifically tested, approved, and formulated for animals are legally used, and that veterinarians supervise any off-label use. This system helps safeguard both animal and human health, preventing the misuse of medications that could have harmful or even fatal consequences.