HB 56-CONTROLLED SUB. DATA: EXEMPT ANIMAL RX  3:17:24 PM VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 56, "An Act exempting controlled substances prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian to treat an animal from the requirements of the controlled substance prescription database." 3:17:47 PM BUD SEXTON, Staff, Representative Justin Ruffridge, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Ruffridge, prime sponsor, introduced HB 56. He stated that the proposed legislation would exempt veterinarians from the requirements to report on the [Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)]. He referenced the concern that when an individual brings a pet to a veterinary clinic, the pet owner's personal medical information is under review. MR. SEXTON gave the sectional analysis for HB 56 [copy included in the committee packet], as follows [original punctuation provided]: Section 1. AS 17.30.200(o) is amended to remove "and the Board of Veterinary Examiners" from the notification requirement when a practitioner registers with the database under (n) of this section. Sec. 2. AS 17.30.200 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: This section does not apply to a schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian licensed under AS 08.98 to treat an animal. Sec. 3. AS 08.98.050(a)(10) is repealed which removes the requirement for Veterinarians under the controlled substance prescription database. 3:20:21 PM The committee took an at-ease from 3:20 p.m. to 3:21 p.m. 3:21:46 PM TRACY WARD, DVM, Past President, Alaska State Veterinary Medical Association (AKVMA), provided invited testimony on HB 56 and co- offered a PowerPoint presentation, titled "Why It Makes Sense to Exempt Veterinarians." She stated that both AKVMA and the Alaska Board of Veterinary Examiners (BOVE) "strongly" support HB 56, which would exempt veterinarians from the requirements of PDMP. She continued that the Alaska Board of Pharmacy also supports the proposed legislation. On slide 4, she gave the background on PDMP in Alaska. 3:23:38 PM DR. WARD moved to slide 5 and stated that PDMP is ineffective for veterinarians because it was established for use with human medication, not animal medication. She continued that the current system is not useful for the data because the PDMP query is made on the individual who brings the animal to the veterinarian, and it is the human's data that is obtained. She explained that this is not useful because veterinarians are not trained in human pharmacology. She continued to slide 6 and reviewed the human privacy issue, as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) does not cover veterinarians; therefore, veterinarians are not required to keep the information obtained private. She pointed out a list of medications this may concern. She moved to slide 7, which addressed accountability for veterinarians with controlled substances, and she referenced that both the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the distributors of controlled substances monitor patterns of drug prescriptions by veterinarians. 3:27:31 PM RACHEL BERNGARTT, DVM, Chair, Board of Veterinary Examiners, provided invited testimony on HB 56 and co-offered a PowerPoint presentation, titled "Why It Makes Sense to Exempt Veterinarians." On slide 8, she pointed out that 33 other states have removed the requirement that veterinarians report on PDMP, and she advised that there is wide spread acceptance for this exemption. She stated that PDMP is a "good tool" for "doctor shopping;" however, there has been no reported increase in this behavior concerning veterinarians. She moved to slide 9 and pointed out the difference between the drugs veterinarians prescribe and the drugs related to overdose deaths. She moved to slide 10, pointing out the licensing burden that PDMP causes BOVE and the licensees. 3:32:06 PM DR. BERNGARTT, moving to slide 11, stated that Alaska has the highest licensing fees for veterinarians in the country. She advised that nationwide there is a veterinarian shortage. She suggested that these high fees will deter veterinarians from moving to Alaska. Concluding on slide 12, she pointed out that AKVMA and Bove support HB 56 because it will allow veterinarians to provide appropriate care for each patient; increase the efficiency of PDMP for its intended purpose; allow continued judicious use of controlled substances; and eliminate unnecessary and disproportionate business burdens for veterinarians. 3:34:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned what medications veterinarians prescribe if opioids and these types of drugs are not prescribed by veterinarians. DR. BERNGARTT responded that one of the primary opioid medications prescribed is a small amount of hydrocodone in a flavored-type dog treat for small dogs with a cough. She added that these treats are expensive. In response to a follow-up question, she confirmed that some drugs veterinarians prescribe can be used by humans; however, she argued that these drugs, such as antibiotics, are not controlled substances related to PDMP. 3:37:55 PM The committee took an at-ease from 3:37 p.m. to 3:38 p.m. [Vice Chair Ruffridge passed the gavel to Representative Wright.] 3:38:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE, as prime sponsor, offered closing comments on HB 56. He stated that the proposed legislation has been before the legislature for a number of years, and he suggested that it be passed. He offered that PDMP is an important program; however, veterinarians should be able to continue to do their work while keeping patient information private. 3:39:38 PM The committee took an at-ease from 3:39 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. [Representative Wright passed the gavel back to Vice Chair Ruffridge.] 3:40:06 PM VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that HB 56 was held over.