Federal Regulatory

22 June

Important Labeling Changes to Critical Care Medications for People

Sherri Dean   |   Federal Regulatory

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring labeling changes to three critical care medications that are approved for use in people and are also used in animals in the practice of veterinary medicine. Veterinarians who use these products in animals should be aware of these changes. The labeling changes affect epinephrine injection, isoproterenol hydrochloride injection, and neostigmine methylsulfate injection for use in people. The FDA is requiring drug manufacturers to remove ratio expressions of strength (such as 1:1,000 and 1:10,000)...

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27 January

Be careful when issuing International Health Certificates

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Uncategorized

Finding current requirements for correctly issuing International Health Certificates for movement of pets to foreign destinations is an essential task for USDA accredited veterinarians. Because these requirements are determined by the country to which the animals are destined, and not by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, they can change, and may do so on a frequent basis due to disease outbreaks, or political or economic factors. For that reason, specific requirements based on the country of destination, type of animal, and...

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13 January

Ban on powdered gloves takes effect January 18

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Uncategorized

Under a rule issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), powdered gloves will no longer be available for use in veterinary medicine beginning January 18. According to FDA officials, the ban includes powdered patient examination gloves, powdered surgeon’s gloves, and also the absorbable powder for lubricating a surgeon’s glove. The FDA made good on their promise by finalizing the ban on powdered gloves used in surgery and medicine because of the dangers they pose to human health. Many health...

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06 January

Veterinary Feed Directive Module – Now Available

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Uncategorized

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) is announcing the availability of a new training, Module 29 Veterinary Feed Directive. NVAP worked with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine and Iowa State’s Center for Food Security and Public Health to create this training. Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to: Describe the need for antibiotic stewardship in regard to antibiotic resistance; Understand the FDA's regulatory oversight of animal drugs; Describe...

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16 December

FDA bans powdered gloves

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Uncategorized

The FDA made good on their promise by finalizing a proposed ban on powdered gloves used in surgery and medicine because of the dangers they pose to human health. Many health systems already ban the gloves and professional societies and clinicians have advocated for the ban due to potentially serious adverse events that include severe airway inflammation, lung inflammation and damage, allergic reactions including asthma, hypersensitivity reactions, granulomas and peritoneal adhesions. While most device removals stem from the manufacturer, this is...

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09 December

Are you prepared for the Veterinary Feed Directive?

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Uncategorized

The new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) requirement, which is intended to control the development of drug resistant organisms by decreasing antimicrobial use, kicks in Jan. 1. The VFD eliminates the use of medically-important antibiotics for growth promotion in livestock and poultry, although these medications will still be available for the use of prevention, treatment and control of diseases under the supervision of a veterinarian. Veterinarians must write a VFD whenever medications are to be administered in food or water. The...

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02 December

Federal overtime rule blocked by Texas court

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Uncategorized

In U.S. District Court in Texas, the judge granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit that challenges the Dept. of Labor’s authority to raise the salary threshold. The federal overtime exemption rule that was due to take effect Dec. 1 expanded time and a half pay for salaried employees in the public and private sectors who work more than 40 hours per week. It’s unclear what the outcome will be for the rule. The injunction is not permanent and the...

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02 December

Minimum wage climbing to $11 in 2017 as a result of November election

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Uncategorized

The minimum wage in Washington will increase to $11 an hour starting on Jan. 1, 2017. The new minimum wage, a result of the passage of Initiative 1433, applies to all jobs, including those in agriculture. Workers under 16 years old can be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage, or $9.35 per hour, in 2017. In addition to minimum wage, the initiative addresses paid sick leave. Seattle, Tacoma, and the City of SeaTac have higher minimum wage rates for...

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11 November

Veterinary Feed Directive Q&A Webinar on Nov. 15

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Uncategorized

GlobalVetLINK is hosting a free Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Question and Answer Webinar on Tuesday, November 15 at 12:00 p.m. CT for veterinarians, producers and feed distributors who want more information about VFD compliance and management. With final implementation of the new VFD changes approaching on January 1, many questions remain throughout the industry about compliance. GVL's VFD Q&A webinar features industry leaders discussing the most common questions they have been hearing, and their interpretation of the changes. The last half...

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14 October

House votes to delay overtime rule, Senate won’t vote until after elections

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Uncategorized

Before adjourning for election season, the House voted to delay the implementation of the federal overtime rule, even as the December 1 deadline looms. The controversial regulations expand time and a half pay for salaried employees who work more than 40 hours per week. The rule affects workers in the public and private sectors as well as non-profit organizations, such as charities that provide veterinary services for a fee. The new rule, that’s due to go into effect on December...

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