NMVMA seeks improved regulation of alternative therapies

NEW MEXICO — New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association (NMVMA) officials want to better define what constitutes the practice of veterinary medicine through the state's practice act.

But it's going to be a long process, association leaders report.

The process begins with the appointment of a committee to evaluate language, definitions and other areas in need of change.

The committee will review the "typical scope-of-practice issues that every state is facing nationwide," explains Michael Tomasic, VMD and NMVMA's immediate past president. Practice acts across the country regulate only licensed veterinarians, providing little means of control of non-licensed lay professionals, he says.

"We want some better definition of what constitutes veterinary medicine and a better means of dealing with non-veterinary professionals who want to get involved in different aspects of veterinary medicine," Tomasic says. "We want a better definition of alternative medicine and a better means of regulating it. There is not a lot of accountability for the public to pursue if one of these non-veterinary professional endeavors goes wrong."

After the committee determines which practice-act provisions need to be strengthened or revised, a separate group will be created to begin the compiling of updated language, Tomasic says.

The process of evaluating the act, seeking public input and introducing change into legislation is expected to take at least a year, possibly several, he says.

"I think it is just that the association is going to take this very deliberately and purposefully to ensure we get it right," Tomasic says.