在美國,獸醫師使用人藥,這種情形叫做Extralabel Drug Use (標籤指示外用藥,簡稱ELDU)。中華民國的法律並未禁止獸醫師不得Extralabel Drug Use。最明顯的例子就是管制藥品管制條例認可獸醫師得使用人用管制藥品 (標籤指示外用藥),因此,我們本來就有的權利,不可讓「人藥師」輕易拿走。
在美國,對於獸醫師的ELDU 規範在聯邦法律Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reference/Pages/AMDUCA.aspx),簡稱AMDUCA,其中對於ELDU的規範是:
1. ELDU is permitted only by or under the supervision of a veterinarian. (是獸醫師監督使用,調劑權在於獸醫師,而非「人藥師」) 2. ELDU is allowed only for FDA-approved animal and human drugs. (只要是合法藥物,不管是人藥,還是動物藥都可以使用) 3. A valid veterinarian/client/patient relationship is a prerequisite for all ELDU. (對象就是用在飼主的動物身上而已) 4. ELDU is for therapeutic purposes only (animal’s health is suffering or threatened), not for production use. (使用目的是治療動物的病痛) 5. Rules apply to dosage for drugs and drugs administered in water. ELDU in feed is prohibited. (不會用在飼料添加) 6. ELDU is not permitted if it results in a violative food residue, or any residue that may present a risk to public health. FDA prohibition of a specific ELDU precludes such use (會殘留危害公共衛生的藥物不可使用,以負面表列禁用品名)