New vet resource lists essential medicines for cats and dogs

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association released a “List of Essential Medicines for Cats and Dogs.” It aims to serve veterinarians around the world by helping them access vital medicines, “supporting the availability of the drugs required for minimum standards of clinical practice,” according to the announcement.

Both core and complementary essential medicines are included, listed alphabetically, either by drug category or organ system and specialty. The peer-reviewed document will be updated every three years, according to the WSAVA.

Of the 113 companion animal veterinary member associations that responded in a 2016 survey by the organization, 75% said they face obstacles accessing medicines, and that these obstacles restricted their ability to address the needs of their patients. This problem also affects livestock veterinarians, the organization said.

“Many of our global colleagues lack access to even essential drugs, such as opioid analgesics,” said Dr. Paulo Steagall, co-chair of the organization’s Therapeutics Guidelines Group, which developed the list. “This limits their ability to treat pain in their patients, leading to unnecessary suffering and compromising animal welfare.

“But it’s not just their patients that suffer,” Steagall added. “Our members and their colleagues experience deep frustration as they are unable to provide the standard of veterinary care they have been trained to deliver. For a profession already facing serious mental health problems, this is an unnecessary additional burden.”

According to the announcement, the WSAVA believes the list “will enhance the standard of care that companion animal veterinarians worldwide offer to their patients while also facilitating the regulatory oversight of pharmaceuticals included on the List.”