Work the veterinary drug ring

We veterinarians are getting a bad rap these days for not flushing our pharmacy drugs down the toilet and writing prescriptions for pet owners to fill less expensively with human-medicine pharmacists at Walmart. Did I say, "Flush all our pharmacy drug supplies down the toilet?" I do hope every reader screamed out loud at me. You know you can't toss unused medication into the toilet or straight into the trash bin, but do your clients? If you're not giving clients an easy way to bring back unused medications, you're missing a great way to boost client visits, improve patient health, and do the earth a favor.

Denise Petryk, DVM

DEAL WITH UNUSED DRUGS

I challenge progressive practice owners and associates to commit to playing a role in the "veterinary drug ring" (see below). We need to be educators and participants in the drug cycle. If we fail to provide this important service to clients, we're missing an opportunity to stand out from competitors.

Beyond the opportunity for more client visits, participating in the veterinary drug ring helps reduce environmental damage and accidental poisonings. Improper disposal of medications contributes to contamination of the water supply. Such drugs as narcotic pain relievers and other controlled substances can be improperly or illegally used by humans. TakeBackYourMeds.org is just one of many websites describing the perils of accidental poisonings. It's true that most of the public's concern about accidental poisonings focuses on children, but the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center receives more than 90,000 calls every year related to animals ingesting medications—again reinforcing the role we need to play in drug take-back programs.

PRESCRIBE MEDICATIONS WELL

We veterinarians need to embrace a new level of responsibility for drug disposal. It starts with being more judicious in the prescribing of drugs. Don't prescribe a full 21 days' worth of an antibiotic that might cause severe diarrhea in a pet, expecting to switch drugs if diarrhea presents, and neglect to educate your client about responsible drug disposal.

And don't miss a chance to talk about this green and sustainable initiative with your environmentally conscious team members. At my practice, we post signs about the program at the front desk and note the program on invoices, but we also ask our receptionists to talk about the program when they answer questions about new and existing prescriptions.

BE OPEN TO OPTIONS

Educate yourself about options for drug disposal for your clinic and your clients. Many cities have installed secure drop boxes for unused medications at drugstores. Law enforcement agencies are also part of a national drug take-back initiative. Companies that specialize in drug take-backs are another option. Investigate, educate, coordinate, and then celebrate the respect you gain from clients and your community for your new service.

I'm 20 years strong in this career, and I'm rising to this new challenge to change. I follow the advice of leadership expert Mark Sanborn: "Your success in life isn't based on your ability to simply change. It's based on your ability to change faster than your competition, customers, and business." In this fragile economy, we need to embrace change and make progressive, eco-friendly modifications to our practices. I hope you'll join us in promoting drug take-backs.

Denise Petryk, DVM, is co-owner of Puget Sound Veterinary Referral Center in Tacoma, Wash. Please send questions or comments to ve@advanstar.com.