Veterinary Leaders Call for an Essential Medicines List to Clean Up Practice
A prominent veterinarian, Mikhail Shelyakov, spoke with Reedus about support from the Veterinary Drug Manufacturers Association for establishing a core roster of medicines considered essential for animals. He emphasized that adopting such a list would move veterinary work away from ambiguity and into clear, standardized practice. The goal is to reduce the ambiguous space that many clinics currently operate within and to provide veterinarians with a defined set of trusted drugs.
He explained that under existing veterinary laws, veterinarians are not allowed to handle drugs in a routine fashion, which creates tension because clinics keep operating. When the focus turns to medications vital for animal health, he argues, the sector should clearly label those medicines as veterinary so they can be prescribed and used with confidence.
Shelyakov noted that compiling a list of essential medicines is a demanding but crucial undertaking. He proposed including vaccines, antiviral agents, antibiotics, anesthesia equipment and drugs, as well as agents used for waking patients after procedures, in the core catalog. Such a list would streamline decision making, improve patient outcomes, and help clinics manage pharmaceutical inventories more efficiently.
The discussion echoes a wider movement within the veterinary community to align policy, practice, and patient care. Establishing a vetted set of core medicines is seen as a step toward greater accountability, better access to necessary treatments, and clearer guidance for veterinarians who serve animals in homes, clinics, and shelters. This approach aims to protect animal welfare while also supporting veterinarians in delivering timely, effective care. The exchange follows ongoing dialogues among practitioners, regulators, and drug manufacturers about which medicines are essential and how best to organize them within clinical workflows. [attribution: Veterinary policy roundtable, group discussions summarized in veterinary health briefings]