A veterinary pharmacy offers over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals for animal patients, from sterile injectables and ophthalmics to non-sterile transdermal, topical, and oral medications. Commercially available pharmaceuticals often fit the needs of veterinary patients, but sometimes problems arise that prevent an animal from taking the drug of choice. A veterinary pharmacy could specialize in individualized pharmaceutical therapies to address such dosing issues. These facilities are called compounding pharmacies and are operated in accordance with state and federal regulations by specially trained pharmacists and technicians.
The composition is the extemporaneous preparation of a personalized pharmaceutical product by prescription order from a licensed physician. The compounds work in a triad relationship between patient, physician, and pharmacist to address medication problems and provide individualized therapy to promote the desired healthcare outcome. In the veterinary field, compounds can tailor drugs for many animals except food and food-producing animals under state and federal regulations. What kind of animals could benefit from capitalization? Pets, performance animals, working animals, rescued wildlife, exotics and more.
Several factors, working individually or in combination, can contribute to patient noncompliance with the preferred drug. A medication may have an unpleasant taste, texture, or odor. The route of administration may need to be adjusted (such as switching from a tablet to an oral liquid) or changed entirely (such as switching from a tablet to a transdermal gel). The preferred therapy might be temporarily on hold or discontinued by the manufacturer, or the commercially available drug might be too strong for smaller patients (available only in an unscored tablet that cannot be precisely divided, for example). Last but not least, the commercially available pharmaceutical might contain irritants or allergens that could be removed.
Some of the most frequently requested veterinary compounds include transdermal gels and tasty liquid medications containing active ingredients such as methimazole and metronidazole, often prescribed for difficult-to-dose cats. Pergolide capsules for horses are also in high demand. Potassium bromide capsules and solutions are also frequently requested. Since the economic downturn, specialty pharmacies have been busy making pharmaceutical products that are FDA-approved but are on temporary backorder or have been discontinued by the manufacturer.
When choosing a veterinary compounding pharmacy, one should ask several questions. How long has the pharmacy been in business? Do you charge for shipping? Is the facility licensed to dispense in your state? Does the pharmacy offer compounded price matching? Does the pharmacy have a sterile clean room for the preparation of injectables and ophthalmics?
A veterinary compounding pharmacy can be a useful partner to practitioners and patients in promoting desired healthcare outcomes through individualized pharmaceutical therapy.