Use of Human Drugs for Pets Sparks Controversy; Consumer Foundation Calls for Protection of Owners' Right to Know and Autonomy

(CNA) Taipei, July 1 -- The Council of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health and Welfare are currently drafting a new version of the "Regulations for the Use and Management of Human Drugs for Dogs, Cats, and Non-Economic Animals." The Consumers' Foundation today called for the system design to establish a drug information disclosure system to protect owners' right to know and their autonomy in decision-making.

The "Regulations for the Use and Management of Human Drugs for Dogs, Cats, and Non-Economic Animals" were originally scheduled to take effect today, but due to insufficient supporting measures, controversy arose. The Council of Agriculture decided in April to postpone implementation and canceled the original notice. A new regulation is currently being drafted by the Council of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The Consumers' Foundation issued a press release stating that Taiwan is entering a society with an aging population and declining birthrate, and companion animals are gradually becoming important family members. When the government plans relevant legal systems, it should not only proceed from the perspective of drug management but also plan holistically from the perspectives of animal welfare protection, consumer rights maintenance, and modern medical governance.

The Consumers' Foundation pointed out that the treatment of many animal diseases still relies heavily on human drugs. In recent years, the public has continuously reported that the prices for the same treatment items vary greatly; there is a lack of explanation for drug charges; examination items are not informed in advance; medical records are difficult to obtain; there are insufficient channels for medical dispute appeals, and many owners are unable to know the source of the drugs, their indications, alternative treatment options, and potential risks. This makes it difficult for consumers to make informed judgments, easily leading to subsequent medical disputes.

The Consumers' Foundation stated that from a consumer's perspective, what owners truly care about is not whether the drug is a human drug or an animal drug, but rather: Is the treatment safe and effective? Is there scientific evidence? Are there other alternative options? Are the prices reasonable? Are the risks fully disclosed?

The Consumers' Foundation recommends establishing a pet medical drug information disclosure system to allow owners to fully understand the drug's name and purpose; whether it is an approved animal drug; whether it is a human drug being repurposed for animal use; potential side effects and risks; alternative treatment options; and related medical expenses and fee structures. Only with transparent information can consumers' right to know and their autonomy in decision-making be truly protected.

The Consumers' Foundation said that any drug can have side effects, but Taiwan currently has insufficient safety data for companion animal drugs, and there is room for improvement in the adverse reaction reporting system. It is recommended that the government, by analogy with the human drug management system, establish a veterinarian reporting system and an owner self-reporting platform, while also making a public query database available to establish a drug risk early warning mechanism and build a cross-ministerial information sharing system for long-term drug safety monitoring. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150701

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