Human Medicine for Dogs and Cats: Ministry of Agriculture States Implementation Won't Be Rushed If Impractical

When pets fall ill and face a shortage of medicine, the veterinary community has been calling for the authorization to use human medicines. To address this, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare jointly issued the "Regulations on the Use and Management of Human Drugs for Dogs, Cats, and Non-Economic Animals" in 2024, setting a 2-year buffer period. The regulations are officially slated to take effect this July. However, the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations believes the supporting measures are incomplete, while animal protection groups consider the timeline too hasty.

The Ministry of Agriculture issued a press release today stating that intensive discussions have been held with the FDA this week, and adjustment directions have been identified. Tomorrow, meetings will be held to continue consulting with various sectors. If there are still insurmountable obstacles in clinical practice, the policy will not be rashly implemented.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture stated that it will continue to consult with professional groups on the issue of converting human medicine to animal medicine based on the clinical practical experience faced by various units.

The Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that protecting the right to life and medical rights of pets is its mission, and all policy and institutional changes will prioritize this.

The Ministry of Agriculture pointed out that, in addition to discussing adding a more timely and safer drug stocking mechanism for acquiring animal medicines within the original dual-track system, it continues to negotiate with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and various parties on issues such as labeling requirements for animal protection drugs, controlled drugs, and low-frequency drugs like snake antivenom.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that it will definitely conduct effective drug management, including handling methods for nighttime and rare drugs, under the premise of ensuring the right to life and medical rights of pets, and make pet medical care more secure based on consensus.

According to data from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, 701 human drug items are currently announced for use in dogs, cats, and non-economic animals. However, only 216 items have completed animal protection drug registration. The Pharmacists Association noted that less than 30% are registered, causing concern among many pet owners and veterinarians. Only drugs that have completed registration can be legally stocked in animal hospitals; the remaining nearly 500 drugs cannot be stocked in clinics, which may cause inconvenience during acute treatments or nighttime emergencies.

Animal protection groups believe that the new system should only be launched once an adequate supply of medications for the clinical needs of animal hospitals can be ensured. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150409