Task force to decide on Kan. prescription monitoring system

Topeka, Kan.

-- Veterinarians in Kansas currently are exempt from a new law requiring those who dispense scheduled substances from reporting to an electronic prescription monitoring program, but a new veterinary task force will determine whether that exemption stays.

The law, which went into effect in July, requires the State Board of Pharmacy to establish and maintain a prescription monitoring program for scheduled substances and drugs of concern dispensed in Kansas.

The Kansas Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) lobbied for the veterinary exemption and won with the caveat that a Veterinary Prescription Monitoring Program Task Force be established to study and determine whether to require licensed veterinarians to report to the program. The study will include appropriate methods and procedures of reporting by veterinarians and necessary database field information.

The veterinary task force is composed of three members — one appointed by the Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Committee (PMPAC); one appointed by the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE); and one nominated by KVMA and appointed by KBVE.

Dr. Rick Tanner will represent KVMA on the task force and Dr. Vern Otte will represent KBVE. The PMPAC has appointed Dr. Shirley Arck.

The veterinary task force will report its findings and progress to the PMPAC annually or when requested by the Advisory Committee. It also will be required to report its progress to the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare and the House Committee on Health and Human Services, if requested.

The task force has five years to report its conclusions and recommendations. Based on the recommendation of the task force, the bill could be amended to include veterinarians as practitioners.

The task force held its initial meeting in late November.