| Complaint: | Complaint 20-85 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Fernando Notario Britez |
| Premises: | Grand Paws Animal Clinic |
The complainant tells us that his dog was prescribed tramadol. After he began giving the dog the tramadol he says that Britez prescribed gabapentin for pain control as well. He says that he never asked for the gabapentin as the tramadol seemed to be working well. This bothered him so he looked it up and learned that gabapentin is an antiseizure drug. He talked to Britez about this and says that Britez told him that gabapentin is also prescribed for neurologic pain. The complainant says that he told him that his dog has muscular pain not neurologic pain. He asked if he could bring the drug back for a refund but was told no by the office manager. He concludes that Britez prescribed the dog just so he could charge him more money.
Britez says that the dog was originally on a steroid for presumptive disc disease, but concerns regarding the bloodwork made him switch to tramadol and gabapentin. He also says that only the tramadol was dispensed initially because his clinic was out of gabapentin. He says the gabapentin was dispensed but that the complainant subsequently told him that the dog wasn't painful and didn't need it. Britez says he told him that he didn't need to give the dog the gabapentin then. He tells us the practice manager told the complainant that they cannot accept returned medications by law and could not refund the money. Britez concludes that the entire complaint is financially motivated because they wouldn't give the complainant a refund.
The Investigative Committee found no concerns with Britez prescribing the medication or not allowing him to return the medication. However, they said that Britez could have allowed the complainant to return the medication and then dispose of it; if he had done so "it may have saved Respondent a lot of time."
| Source: | August 8, 2020 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Fernando Notario Britez | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Steve Seiler | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | September 9, 2020 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| Roll Call: | |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Absent |
| Result: | Passed |
The primary source for the above summary was obtained as a public record from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. You are welcome to review the original records and board meeting minutes by clicking the relevant links. While we endeavor to provide an accurate summary of the complaint, response, investigative reports and board actions, we encourage you to review the primary sources and come to your own conclusions. In some cases we have also been able to reach out to individuals with knowledge of specific complaints, and where possible that information will be included here.