Pet Medications Workshop Twitter Transcript

On October 2, 2012, the FTC hosted a workshop on consumer and competition issues in the pet

medications industry. Staff live-tweeted the day-long workshop. Event hashtag was #FTCpets. 

All tweets remain public on the @FTC Twitter account. 

Tweets are posted below in chronological order for ease of reading. 

Promotional Tweets

We'll live-tweet today's workshop on pet medications at 8:45am ET. Tweet Qs to #FTCpets. 

Agenda, webcast link & more: http://go.usa.gov/YgM3

To watch the FTC's workshop on pet medications, here's the direct link for our webcast starting 

soon! http://bit.ly/VaRgWX #FTCpets

Agenda for the FTC's workshop on competition & consumer protection issues in ped med 

industry: http://go.usa.gov/Ygz4 #FTCpets

We’re starting our workshop now! Here’s the link again: http://bit.ly/VaRgWX #FTCpets

Chairman’s Remarks

FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz opens up the #FTCpets workshop with a picture of his dog, Tank. 

pic.twitter.com/LCcemUrL

We’re going to talk about competition & consumer protection issues relating to distribution of 

pet medications. – Leibowitz #FTCpets

Leibowitz: Unlike human meds which R supported by insurance, pet meds largely paid for by 

consumers out of their own pockets. #FTCpets

Leibowitz: 62% households own a pet. Over 78M dogs & over 86M cats. Consumers spend $50 

billion/year on pets, incl $7B for meds. #FTCpets

Some pet manufacturers choose 2 distribute products only through vets, so retail pharms can’t 

purchase them directly. – Leibowitz #FTCpets

FTC Chairman Leibowitz thanks panelists, attendees and those who submitted comments thus 

far. #FTCpets

Panel 1 Tweets

FTC’s Stephanie Wilkinson sets the framework for today’s workshop. #FTCpets
Workshop includes 2 introductory presentations this morning: Overview of Vet Profession & 

Overview of Pet Meds Industry. #FTCpets

Deadline to file public comments on pet medications has been extended to Nov. 1, 2012: 

http://go.usa.gov/Ygud #FTCpets

Dr. Douglas Aspros, President, American Vet Medical Association, sets stage for pet meds 

workshop w/ overview on vet profession. #FTCpets

If you're watching today's webcast of the FTC's Pet Meds Workshop, tweet your Qs for 

presenters using #FTCpets. http://bit.ly/VaRgWX

Photo: AVMA's President Dr. Douglas Aspros presenting at the FTC's workshop on pet 

medications. #FTCpets pic.twitter.com/xXmaMrI2

Now up: Dr. Paul Pion President, Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He's presenting an 

overview of the pet meds industry. #FTCpets

Here's a copy of the slides used by Dr. Aspros: http://go.usa.gov/Y4c9 #FTCpets

Dr. Pion says a large % of prescription pet meds are not labeled for the patient species. 

#FTCpets

Photo: Dr. Paul Pion, VIN, presents an overview of the pet medications industry at the FTC's 

workshop. #FTCpets pic.twitter.com/NinL5cRF

Copy of VIN President Dr. Paul Pion's slides at the FTC's workshop: http://go.usa.gov/Y4rF

#FTCpets

If you'd like follow today's workshop, here's agenda: http://go.usa.gov/Ygz4 & here's webcast 

link: http://bit.ly/VaRgWX .#FTCpets

We're back from our break with Panel 1: Distribution of Pet Medications. 

http://go.usa.gov/Ygz4

Michael Hinckle asks: Why are consumers not seeing savings on generic pet meds like w/ 

human meds? #FTCpets

Portability will not be meaningful w/restrictions on distribution of pet meds. - John Powers 

#FTCpets

Andrew Bane, VetSource, says we need pharmacists trained in vet medicines to ensure pet 

safety. #FTCpets
I believe competition will help consumers with lower prices. - Brad Dayton, Ahold USA #FTCpets

Gregg Jones, NABP, highlights several differences between distribution of human and pet 

medicines. #FTCpets

David Miller, IACP: Compounding pharmacists play unique role - know dosage for poodle vs. 

Great Dane. #FTCpets

Pet medication industry is a highly competitive marketplace. - Mark Cushing, American Vet 

Distributors Association #FTCpets

Photo: Panelists continue to discuss the distribution of pet medications. #FTCpets

pic.twitter.com/1lOITIsO

John Powers, Drs Foster & Smith: Need to distinguish between OTC products and prescription 

medicines. #FTCpets

Medicines are not just products, just one piece of how vets treat animals. - David Miller, IACP 

#FTCpets

Dr. Paul Pion, VIN: Vets realize that product sales will become smaller part of practice. #FTCpets

More "touches" in distribution chain adds to retail cost of product, says Nate Smith, NuSkin 

Enterprises #FTCpets

Clinton Vranian, Novartis Animal Health: Inefficiencies are solving themselves, for example, by 

online delivery & mobile clinics. #FTCpets

Some states allow vets to have a wholesale license and they can resell products legally, says 

Gregg Jones, NABP. #FTCpets

Moderator asks: What are biz rationales for exclusive dealing arrangements for pet meds? 

#FTCpets

Clinton Vranian (Novartis Animal Health): Distributors help educate vets about new products, 

so exclusivity can be procompetitive. #FTCpets

Vets use many different medications every day to treat animals regardless of exclusive deals, 

says Mark Cushing, AVDA. #FTCpets

David Miller, IACP, says pharmacists should dispense pet meds according to prescription. That's 

Pharmacy 101. #FTCpets
That a wrap for Pet Meds Workshop Panel 1! It's time for lunch. We'll see you back online at 

1pm ET. #FTCpets

Panel 2 Tweets

FTC Pet Meds Workshop will continue soon. Here's the link for live webcast: 

http://bit.ly/VaRgWX & the agenda: http://go.usa.gov/Ygz4 #FTCpets

And we're back with Panel 2: Portability of Prescription Pet Meds. #FTCpets

Adrian Hochstadt: AVMA Code of Ethics says vets should honor a client's request for 

prescription in lieu of dispensing. #FTCpets

Dr. Race Foster, Drs Foster & Smith, says prescription portability worthless w/o medication 

availability. #FTCpets

Nate Smith says prescription portability would allow consumers to choose pet meds based on 

price, service & convenience. #FTCpets

Making quality pet care less expensive improves access & animal health & encourages pet 

ownership. - Deborah Dubrow Press, ASCPA. #FTCpets

FTC moderator asks the panelists: When are consumers more likely to ask for a written 

prescription? #FTCpets

Vets write Rx for diff reasons: meds not stocked, for compounded meds, for chronic conditions, 

says Dr. Wendy Hauser, Coal Creek. #FTCpets

Dr. Wendy Hauser (Coal Creek Vet Hospital): Vets select meds based on best treatment for 

animal, not based on incentives. #FTCpets

Dr. Douglas Aspros, AVMA, says market is functioning well today with new products, consumer 

choice, plus price transparency. #FTCpets

Photo: Panel 2 continues to discuss the Portability of Prescription Meds. #FTCpets

pic.twitter.com/wcGJGaup

Panel 3 Tweets

We'll be back w/ Panel 3 @ 3pm ET. For more information about today's workshop, incl 

webcast link & agenda: http://go.usa.gov/YgM3 #FTCpets

Our last panel will cover Lessons Learned from the Contact Lens Industry. #FTCpets

Sydney Knight, FTC Division of Advertising Practices, discusses FTC enforcement of the Contact 

Lens Rule. #FTCpets
Photo: Knight notes FTC contact lens cases, shares consumer resources & more in overview of 

Contact Lens Rule. #FTCpets pic.twitter.com/RM8cSteB

If you're watching our webcast today, you can find copies of workshop slides on our website: 

http://go.usa.gov/YgM3 #FTCpets

Dr. Clarke Newman, AOA, says any proposal should consider possible negative health impact. 

#FTCpets

Bob Hubbard, NY State AG Office: Before FCLCA, power to write prescription gave optometrists 

a competitive advantage. #FTCpets

Additional reg burdens on vets add costs that may B passed 2 consumers; vets already 

match/beat prices online. - Dr. Welborn, AVMA. #FTCpets

Kent McClure, Animal Health Institute, says most vets operate full service hospitals, not just 

limited to outpatient exams. #FTCpets

Panelists discussing whether consumers have benefited from Contact Lens Rule or other 

changes to market. #FTCpets

Reminder: Public comments on pet meds workshop are due Nov. 1, 2012: 

http://go.usa.gov/Ygud #FTCpets

FTC's Director OPP Andrew Gavil wraps up the workshop. Thanks everyone for participating 

online & off! 

Reminder: Public comments on pet meds workshop are due Nov. 1, 2012: 

http://go.usa.gov/Ygud #FTCpets