Drug shortages in Veterinary Medicine

[1Chumly]

This was on my Facebook this morning. Quite interesting.

Drug Shortages in Veterinary Medicine: Why Pets Get the Short End of the Stick — Dr. Patty Khuly

 

[dolphin]

Boy that's an eye opener, I'll bet that most people don't even realize what's going on with these life saving medications, thank you for sharing.

 

[nycbullymama]

Thanks for the article.

I can't speak for where the writer got their info. but as far as Apoquel goes, I've been following it since before it came on the market. It was deemed the "miracle" drug by many vets and those of us that are always on the look out for a new medication for our allergy prone dogs, could not wait until it was released.

So let me put my 2 cents into the Apoquel debacle.

Since he parent company Pfizer, stands to make billions off of Apoquel, the only reasons I see for not releasing more of this drug is;
1. Opening up more plants (they recently opened a second) takes time. Buying/renting/building a plant, licensing requirements, it needs to be in state and federal compliance, inspections, etc. All of this takes a crap load of time.
2. I also "think" (and this may sound like a conspiracy theory) since they still don't know the long term side effects, it's safer to keep the drug to a smaller distribution base. Less lawsuits, easier to take it off the market should the need arise.

Zoetis (makers of Apoquel, are also coming out with another skin medication any day now. If anyone's interested, here's the link:
https://www.zoetisus.com/news-and-m...nine-atopic-dermatitis-immunotherapeutic.aspx

 

[BrianW]

Does anyone out there use Apoquel. I ran out last we and was told by my vet that it has been discontinued. Anyone know if this is true?

 

[2BullyMama]

Does anyone out there use Apoquel. I ran out last we and was told by my vet that it has been discontinued. Anyone know if this is true?

Many here do.... [MENTION=7457]nycbullymama[/MENTION]. [MENTION=7260]Chumley[/MENTION] snd a few others I can't remember right now

 

[nycbullymama]

Does anyone out there use Apoquel. I ran out last we and was told by my vet that it has been discontinued. Anyone know if this is true?

WHAT?? It's too late to call my vet, but I asked in my Apoquel group and so far, no one's heard this. It also doesn't say anything about it being discontinued on Zoetis' page.

I think your vet is wrong.

eta: someone just said they picked it up today. So no way was it discontinued.

 

[nycbullymama]

@BrianW I think your vet meant is was on back order. It's still in very short supply. Currently, I have 3 "dealers" (vets) that I can get it from if one is out.

Call around and see who has it, especially the dermatologists as they seem to have a larger supply. They'll probably make you take your pup in but it's worth it.

 

[BrianW]

@BrianW I think your vet meant is was on back order. It's still in very short supply. Currently, I have 3 "dealers" (vets) that I can get it from if one is out.

Call around and see who has it, especially the dermatologists as they seem to have a larger supply. They'll probably make you take your pup in but it's worth it.

The woman at my vet's office told me that Apoquel has been discontinued. After I posted, I called Zoetis and talked to a representative for about 20 minutes and they told me that there is a major back order. I also talked to them about the new drug that they are working on that is injectable.

My wife works with a pharmacy, that also does drugs for animals. Well the pharmacist called a friend and I was able to find some for now. Hope they don't stop, because it is the only thing that works..

 

[nycbullymama]

The woman at my vet's office told me that Apoquel has been discontinued. After I posted, I called Zoetis and talked to a representative for about 20 minutes and they told me that there is a major back order. I also talked to them about the new drug that they are working on that is injectable.

My wife works with a pharmacy, that also does drugs for animals. Well the pharmacist called a friend and I was able to find some for now. Hope they don't stop, because it is the only thing that works..

I'd call your vets office and correct her as soon as possible. She's misinforming the patients.
But yeah, it's on back order. People are always searching for it in the group I belong to and others posts where it is available. Send me a pm if you want info. on the group. They may be able to help in the future
if you having a hard time getting it.

 

[Marine91]

Sadly until they can either build new facilities or find a way to decrease the manufacturing time there is probably going to be a shortage for a very long time. I read an article when Apoquel first came out that talked about the process to make it and that it can take up to 3 years to make a batch which seems crazy to me but then again I am not a chemist so what do I know.

 

[Opie CHL]

I still get Hersheys from his vet in Delaware and rick Rettinger ships it to me..I'm afraid they'll eventually stop giving it to me if he hasn't been there for a checkup recently.
Pits amazing how they can't keep this in stock..I could understand at first but it's been 2 years..why can't supply meet the demand already?