>[Moderator's note: Advantage and Frontline, as far as I know, are sold
>primarily through vets only due to manufacturer's policy.  They are not
>classified as drugs, thus they do not *legally* require a perscription.
>The idea is that for best results vets should explain proper use to
>clients.  That being said, I have seen both sold over-the-counter and/or
>mail order.
 
BIG-
 
I believe that you are correct about Advantage and Front-line being
primarily sold through vets due to manufacturer's policy.  In fact,
although I can't find my notes on it, I also believe that the State of
Florida (I am not sure on that) has a lawsuit pending against the
manufacturers and maybe the Florida Chapter of the AVMA for having a
monopoly (ie, only vets can sell these products).  Does anyone know
anything about this?  It is interesting that this lawsuit is pending (if I
remember correctly) when anyone can get the product OTC and/or through mail
order.  Are there any requirements (other than money) to buy these drugs
OTC or MO.  I did a little searching and it does appear that you can buy
these products (as well as some vaccines, but not rabies fortunately) over
the internet.  Some of these practices seem questionable from a legal point
of view.
 
If anyone wants more information about fleas, this site seems well run and
very accurate: http://www.vetmed.iastate.edu/units/vth/noxon/flea.html
 
Some more interesting information, which also indicates that Advantage and
Front-line are prescription only (although you can't believe everything you
read on the internet) can be found:
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/Entomology/extension/Current/Flea.html
 
Some of the confusion that comes with these products (and lack of legal
enforcement concerning their distribution) may occur because pesticides
(like these) are actually regulated by the EPA, but they are being used as
veterinary drugs (regulated FDA or USDA) - I hope that I have this correct.
Either way, it does appear that you can get these products and others OTC
and by MO which I frankly don't understand.
 
>So, my question is: if something isn't labelled as a drug, can use still
>be considered extra-label?   BIG]
 
As far as drug and extra-label, perhaps I should have written "extra-label"
to IMPLY that it hadn't been tested on ferrets (only on dogs and cats).  I
still can't tell whether or not these products are legally considered
drugs.  I will ask one of my professors about these questions next time I
see him, he is a DVM and a JD who specializes in these sorts of things.
 
-Sean (still much to learn)
 
******************************
Sean D. Sawyer V'00
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine
 
[log in to unmask]
******************************
 
[BIG replies: No requirements other than money.  A look pet food store sells
it over the counter and many places (e.g. KV Vet supply) sell it by mail
to consumers.  Kinda the same way some stores will sell Hills "Prescription"
Diets -- technically they are not classified as drugs and some stores have
a source for them.
 
Regarding the drug vs pesticide question: they are classified as pesticides.
I believe the manufacturers of the respective products were racing to be the
first in the market and it was quicker to get EPA registration than FDA
approval.  Since the products aren't absorbed through the skin they could
get away with it.  This is my understanding, anyhow.
 
OK, back to lurking... I don't usually comment much directly to FML (unless
it's to defend chocolate ;-))  Don't know why I picked up on this thread...
don't even have fleas... unless the neighborhood strays are visiting.  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 2503]