Ok to treat animals with human drugs

With the decree signed by the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, it will be possible to treat pets with drugs "for human use". About 40 percent of Italian families will benefit from it and will be able to save up to 90 percent for some animal diseases. This was announced by the Ministry of Health. The measure adopted provides that the veterinarian may prescribe medicinal products for human use for the treatment of pets "provided that this medicinal product contains the same active ingredient as the veterinary medicinal product". "This is a measure of equity expected for years by millions of citizens. A choice that will make it easier to guarantee pet care and an important saving for many Italian families and for facilities that deal with dogs and cats. ", comments the Minister of Health. Since 2006, animal welfare associations, parliamentarians, regional and municipal councilors of different political orientations have supported this goal, denouncing too high prices of veterinary drugs that are often the cause of animal abandonment. "Taking better care of the health of pets is not just a gesture of affection and gratitude. It means guaranteeing an important relational and social function that animals perform towards humans and protecting health by following the One Health perspective, an approach that holds together our well-being, that of animals and that of the environment ", concludes Speranza.