August 2004      AVDA Programs l AVDA News l Legal Advisory

AVDA/NAW Offer New Bankcard Processing Solution

AVDA, through the NAW, has teamed up with Solveras Payment Systems to provide wholesaler-distributors with the latest credit card processing technology. The program includes negotiated group discounts and a full range of processing options designed to meet the unique payment needs of your business, including a secure virtual terminal that allows you to manage transactions from any computer with Internet access. DETAILS

AVDA/AHI Task Force Develops Drug Compounding Guide

Representatives from AHI and AVDA have been working closely over the past few months to develop an information piece on drug compounding. The piece is intended for distributor sales representatives, to provide information about compounded veterinary drugs; who can legally compound a veterinary drug; and the U.S. laws that are applicable to compounded veterinary drugs.

The white paper is currently available on AVDA’s website.

A more concise information piece is being developed by this same task force, for use by veterinarians. The piece will be finalized and available this fall.

AVDA Endorsement of FTG Proves Fruitful

FTG can boast three new clients since the April 2004 announcement of AVDA's endorsement: Synbiotics, Bioniche, and WF Young. AVDA is endorsing FTG’s sales tracing service as a streamlined conduit, allowing distributors to send sales tracings in one file to multiple designated manufacturers, eliminating the need to respond to multiple 'Ad Hoc' report requests and ultimately taking costs out of the supply chain.  DETAILS

AVDA NEWS

AVDA Elects New Board

Davey Stone, of The Butler Company, will be leading AVDA as president. Stone’s term as president comes on the heels of a successful conference in Scottsdale, where more than 160 industry representatives attended the annual event – a recent record.

Supporting Stone is a strong cabinet of officers including Chairman Jim Cleary, of MWI Veterinary Supply; and Immediate Past Chairman, Kim Allen of Burns Veterinary Supply. Sam Woodside, of NLS Animal Health, was named President-Elect.

Newly elected directors to the board include: Greg Eveland, of Walco International; Gary Huffine, of IVESCO/Iowa Vet Supply; and Bill Schmidt, of Vetpo Distributors.

Continuing on the board are Mike Gerlaugh, of Columbus Serum Company; and Deborah Olson, of Nelson Laboratories. Representing Associate Members on the board are Kathy Beins, of DVM Pharmaceuticals; and Gary Cushing, of PRN Pharmacal.

The Biltmore Hotel to Host AVDA 2005 Conference

AVDA’s 2005 Conference will be held April 17-19, 2005 at the beautiful Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. The Biltmore is a four-star, four-diamond hotel and is one of only several resorts in South Florida recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The Biltmore recently completed a 10-year, $40 million refurbishment program that included extensive renovations to the guest rooms and suites. The hotel sports an 18-hole golf course, a Fitness Center and Spa, 10 lighted tennis courts and the largest hotel swimming pool in the Continental United States.

The conference is designed as an educational and networking opportunity for distributor and supplier members. The tentative schedule of events includes guest speakers, an industry panel discussion, a business meeting, golf and tennis tournaments and networking receptions.

Sam Woodside of NLS Animal Health, and this year’s Program Chair, says that the “AVDA Annual Conference is a terrific opportunity for animal health distributors and suppliers to meet and learn more about timely business and industry topics in a relaxed setting.”

University of Industrial Distribution 2005 Dates Announced

AVDA is again co-sponsoring the University of Industrial Distribution (UID), a concentrated educational program focused on the unique needs of wholesale distributors. Known worldwide for excellence in education, UID is sponsored by the leading industrial distribution professional associations, in cooperation with the Industrial Distribution Program and Indiana University/Purdue University.

The unique “track” format of the program offers something for everyone: CEOs, Branch Managers, Sales & Marketing Managers, Purchasing Managers, Sales Personnel, Human Resources Directors, Operations Managers, Inventory Managers, Training Managers – anyone looking for an opportunity to improve personal performance and/or the company’s bottom line.

AVDA’s co-sponsorship of UID 2005 means that, as an AVDA member, you can register for the program at the Association Member price – a savings of $470 per person. UID 2005 will once again be held at the Indiana University/Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 13-16, 2005.   Promotional material will be mailed to all AVDA members soon, so check your mailbox for more details about the conference and registration.

AVDA Distributors Outlook Survey Upbeat for Second Quarter of 2004

AVDA’s Distributor Members were recently surveyed for the second quarter ending June 30, 2004 on their outlook for the veterinary distribution industry.  DETAILS

FDA Recommended Seizure on Illegal Horse Drugs Carried out by U.S. Marshals Under Court Order

At the request of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky issued a seizure warrant on August 11, 2004, for various illegally compounded drug products for use in horses found at BET Pharm, LLC, Lexington, KY. DETAILS

LEGAL ADVISORY

New DOL Overtime Rule to Go into Effect August 23

On April 23, 2004, the Department of Labor issued final regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) implementing new, updated regulations covering the exemption from minimum wage and overtime pay for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales and computer employees. DETAILS