When animal-use approved drugs are not available, veterinarians can turn to a compounding pharmacy to meet the needs of individual animals. The authors share the various considerations, opportunities and challenges.
Compounded medications can be useful when FDA-approved medications are not available, but they should not be selected on the basis of cost alone.”
Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, July/August 2021. Link. Summary:
- Compounded medications can be useful when FDA-approved medications are not available.
- Choose a compounded medication when a commercial product is not available, is toxic or allergenic for a given patient, or is difficult to administer.
- Do not choose a compounded medication on the basis of cost only.
- When a compounding pharmacy offers both 503a and 503b products, the better choice is 503b because of more stringent regulation and testing.
- Consider the risks of compounded medications, especially those for transdermal delivery.
- Assess the quality of compounding pharmacies and their compounded medications.