Charlotte A. Lacroix, DVM, Esq. (attorney) of New Jersey, presented a session on compounding at the convention. Lacroix cautioned her veterinary audience that illegal compounding is a potential tidal wave in liability.

The FDA says a drug is any substance, food, or non-food used to treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent a disease. A drug also is any non-food substance that is intended to affect the structure or function of the animal, or any substance administered by injection.

The Centers for Veterinary Medicine office within the FDA helps provide for animals' health care needs through the approval and post-approval monitoring of safe and effective animal drugs, medical devices, and feeds. More can be found at www.fda.gov/cvm.

Lacroix said before a veterinarian can decide if he/she is in compliance with the law, he/she needs to know the definitions. The FDA enforces the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FDCA), thereby assuring the safety and effectiveness of drugs, devices, and the safety of the food supply. State pharmacy boards have jurisdiction over veterinarians in their home states. Their rules are not the same from state to state, Lacroix said, and that creates some confusion