It’s flea and tick time throughout the United States and veterinarians who dispense opened single spot-on flea and tick products are being reminded that they must label those re-packaged products according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.
Protecting horses and humans
The EPA has established rules veterinarians must follow when dispensing and repackaging tick and flea pesticides for individual use to insure safety.
The EPA recognizes the benefits of allowing veterinarians the discretion to repackage pesticide products to meet their clients’ individual needs. However, veterinarians are required to provide consumers adequate product information.
The EPA has established rules veterinarians must follow when dispensing and repackaging pesticides:
a. The common or trade name(s) and percentage(s) of the active ingredient(s);
b. The EPA product registration number;
c. Use directions for the use prescribed;
d. The name and address of the veterinarian;
e. An antidote statement;
f. Directions for disposal of the pesticide and the packaging; and
g. Human safety precautionary statements, including but not limited to "for application to animals only," "keep out of reach of children," and "in case of accident, contact local physician immediately."
If there is sufficient space on the package dispensed to the client, all of the information specified above must be physically attached to the package.
If space on the package is not sufficient, items (a) through (d) must be physically attached. In addition, item (g) should be affixed to the container by wire, plastic, or similar means. The information in (e) and (f) may be supplied to the client in the form of supplemental labeling, which may consist of the original labeling of the pesticide as received by the veterinarian.
Additionally, the container in which the pesticide is dispensed to the client must be child-resistant, unless the veterinarian has determined that there is no reasonable possibility that the package will come within the reach of children. Veterinarians are encouraged to discuss labeling requirements with the client. Not following EPA rules can result in penalties.
Veterinarians prescribing, dispensing, repackaging, applying or using pesticide products are subject to the regulations of FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act).