New York DVMs must create monthly reports for prescriptions

ALBANY, N.Y. — A new law effective this month in New York requires veterinarians to submit information to the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, a division of the Department of Health, every time a controlled substance is dispensed.

Critics charge the new requirement is more stringent than current reporting protocols, occupying more time and effort.

"The forms are numbered," says Dr. Wayne Warriner, president of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSVMS). "Authorities are trying to weed out people who are counterfeiting prescriptions."

Veterinarians are able to delegate the task to an employee, but the employee must have his or her own access code, Warriner adds.

"The Department of Health is delegating the clerical work to veterinarians," Warriner says. "This task might prove to be difficult for older veterinarians who currently do not use computers regularly."

The information must be submitted by Internet transmission through a health provider network, perpetuating DVMs' aversion with the legislation. Previous requirements used manual data logs.

Authorities say the legislation is meant to crack down on insurance and medical fraud, making the legislation geared more toward physicians, but veterinarians are required to follow suit.

Practitioners are still required to keep a separate log of controlled substances received, administered and dispensed at their practices.

"The NYSVMS is getting quite a few calls from members asking about getting signed up for the new requirement," Warriner says. "Some are annoyed, commenting on the additional piece of bureaucratic hoopla."

Warriner says he has signed up for the process at his practice and feels the access codes and passwords required are too extensive.

"No matter how many passwords this system has, I have a feeling it will still get hacked into. The new procedure will be a problem for small practices," he predicts. "I wish we could just photo-copy and fax the information, but that's not allowed."

On the bright side, Warriner adds, the forms are free for veterinarians.