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Pharmaceuticals
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Some veterinarians wary of Novartis’ enticements to carry Sentinel
5/9/2013
Interceptor gone forever, company says
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Vetsulin back with label changes
5/3/2013
Surprising new instructions: ‘shake’ drug to mix
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Panel airs FDA restrictions on livestock antibiotics use
4/25/2013
Achieving greater veterinary oversight not simple
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Changing insulin brands may disrupt diabetics
2/5/2013
Problems in veterinary patients highlight heedless switching
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Veterinary prescription problems aired with regulators
1/12/2013
Pharmacy boards urge veterinarians to file complaints
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Company pursues first lymphoma drug for dogs
1/2/2013
$1.5 million raised to fund effort
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Insiders lift veil off veterinary drug distribution practices
9/25/2012
Upcoming FTC meeting prompts disclosures
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Novartis pleads with veterinarians: ‘Save us a spot’
8/29/2012
Interceptor, Sentinel found online but not in veterinary practices
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Future of Novartis anti-parasitics unfolding
8/23/2012
FDA approves new versions of Interceptor, Sentinel
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Accreditation body questions pharmacies on veterinary drug suppliers
6/28/2012
Vet-VIPPS applications said to be suspended during investigation
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Veterinarians say pharmacists change prescriptions without asking
6/18/2012
Retailers' foray into pet drugs causes rising tensions
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More legal turns in push to restrict antibiotics in livestock
6/12/2012
Disease prevention uses in dispute
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Franck's recall triggered by rash of fungal eye infections
5/29/2012
Pharmacy's ophthalmic drops, parenteral medications included
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Veterinarian opens up about going undercover
5/22/2012
Flea-product diversion adventure twisted, turned
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Merial: PureVax for ferrets coming back this week
4/30/2012
Backorder of distemper vaccine stirred worries
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Judge orders FDA to assess antibiotic safety in livestock
4/2/2012
AVMA responds with support for the judicious use of antimicrobials
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Veterinarians frustrated by Novartis backorders
3/26/2012
Practitioners face supply problems tied to generics-maker Sandoz
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Novartis warns veterinarians of possible Clomicalm tablet mixups
2/1/2012
FDA chastises company, prompts plant shutdown
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Veterinarians confront Internet pharmacy PetMed Express
1/16/2012
Company acknowledges: ‘Some mistakes were made’
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FDA limits cephalosporin use in livestock to curb drug resistance
1/6/2012
AVMA calls new restrictions reasonable
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Novartis temporarily suspends production of Interceptor, Sentinel
12/29/2011
Supply of other, unnamed drugs also impacted by plant improvements
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PetMed Express stumbles
12/8/2011
Competitive pressure up in veterinary-drug sales
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DOJ challenges ruling in veterinary compounding case
11/16/2011
Appeal sought of decision that restricted FDA's authority
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Veterinary compounding out of FDA’s jurisdiction, judge rules
9/13/2011
Franck's wins legal battle against federal regulators
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Immiticide supplies run dry
8/9/2011
New guidance from the American Heartworm Society expected
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Pfizer seeks to unload animal health division
7/8/2011
Sale or spin-off expected
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Gilded Lilly? Bayer challenges Elanco claims
6/24/2011
Bayer challenges Elanco claims about diversion, loyalty to veterinarians
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Researcher promotes awareness of accidental hormone exposure in pets
6/8/2011
VIN tallies more than 100 case reports since 2003
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Scientist fired by Merial alleges Heartgard Plus coverup
6/7/2011
Dr. Kari Blaho-Owens seeks damages, whistleblower protections
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Antibiotics: spinning the data from Denmark
5/27/2011
Antibiotics do little to enhance growth, yet producers still use them
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Antibiotics: precaution vs. proof
5/26/2011
Weighing risk to public health from antibiotics used in livestock
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FDA: Food-animal antibiotic consumption dwarfs human medical use
5/25/2011
New data reveal flaws in figures presented by AVMA, industry
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Scrutiny of livestock antibiotic use pressures veterinary profession
5/24/2011
AVMA negotiates shifting regulatory landscape
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Online veterinary pharmacies exploit cross-border regulatory gaps
4/25/2011
Canine heartworm prevention drugs sold without required prescription
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'Party time’s over’ for flea and tick killer ProMeris
4/21/2011
Pfizer plans to discontinue product in September
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Animal health companies move toward consolidation
4/12/2011
Trend promises to impact veterinary medicine
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Silver lining for veterinary medicine in failed union of pharmaceutical giants
4/11/2011
Competition between drug makers a positive for the profession, experts say
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Shar-Pei owners given affordable access to human drug
4/8/2011
Extreme price hike on colchicine caused stir
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Phenobarbital labeling mix-up results in recall, adverse events
3/10/2011
Veterinarians warned of mislabled Qualitest Pharmaceuticals tablets
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Future of veterinary compounding hangs in balance
2/25/2011
Judge hits federal government with tough questions
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Glycopyrrolate shortage hits human, veterinary medicine
2/24/2011
Atropine suggested as a replacement
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Campaign to defend veterinary compounding may be misdirected
2/18/2011
Lack of specifics from FDA begets confusion
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Vetsulin’s removal from market could be temporary
2/8/2011
Intervet ceases production due to bacterial contamination concerns
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Price soars on popular antibiotic metronidazole
1/13/2011
Limited competition among manufacturers behind increase
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AVMA cautions DEA on plans to raise propofol to controlled status
12/22/2010
Comment period closes Dec. 27
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Target tests market for pet medications
12/22/2010
Trend in retail sales of veterinary drugs accelerating
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Veterinarians scramble for mainstay chemotherapy drug
12/20/2010
Doxorubicin hydrochloride in short supply
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FDA releases government data on antibiotic use in food animals
12/9/2010
Non-therapeutic quantities not specified, leaving key questions unanswered
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Veterinarian struggles to protect her online reputation
12/8/2010
Practitioner suspects Internet extortion is at play
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DEA wants propofol elevated to scheduled status
11/10/2010
Change likely to impact veterinary practices
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PetMed Express reports slip in sales
10/19/2010
Ad costs rise as consumer spending falls with the online pharmacy
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Comments sought on EPA unused-drug disposal recommendations
10/15/2010
Agency skips medical facilities survey, directly drafts guidelines
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Lawsuit raises questions about sale of drugs to non-veterinarian
10/13/2010
Case brought by Bayer against shelter rescheduled for Dec. 2 hearing
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Accidental hormone exposures prompt proposed drug label changes
10/11/2010
Seller of topical hormone Evamist awaiting FDA review
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VIN unveils recall center for veterinarians, consumers
9/27/2010
Site intended to act as information resource
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Scrutiny of secondary topical hormone exposures deepens
9/9/2010
Veterinarians to be surveyed; FDA fields reports involving pets and children
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Supplies of injectable butorphanol tartrate to normalize, veterinary insiders report
9/3/2010
Pfizer Animal Health assures commitment to manufacture Torbugesic
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CEVA buys Summit VetPharm
9/2/2010
Plans to market Vectra parasiticides globally
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Propofol shortage hits veterinary medicine
8/26/2010
Clinics turn to alternatives with production of PropoFlo, Rapinovet stopped
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IV furosemide vanishing from veterinary market
8/12/2010
Medication on back order for months, distributors say
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FDA investigating accidental hormone exposure problem
7/29/2010
Issues safety alert on topical estrogen spray product Evamist
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Hormone replacement skin products affect users’ pets, confound veterinarians
6/10/2010
Symptoms include swollen vulvas, enlarged mammaries, fur loss
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Franck’s Pharmacy negotiates with FDA in Washington on veterinary compounding
5/20/2010
Outcome could have broad effects on industry, some contend
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Bayer wins some, loses some
4/28/2010
New sales policy continues to reverberate
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FDA calls veterinary compounding at Franck’s illegal
4/19/2010
In unprecedented action, agency seeks court injunction against pharmacy
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Heartworm treatment drug remains in short supply
4/15/2010
FDA must approve manufacturing facility, Merial reports
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Brand-name buprenorphine production up
4/14/2010
Extended shortage has had veterinarians scrambling
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Mexiletine hydrochloride is back in 150-mg capsules
4/9/2010
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U.S. EPA confirms problems exist with spot-on flea, tick treatments
3/18/2010
Agency proposes changes in labeling, safety monitoring
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Merial details company stance on product diversion
2/26/2010
Executives speak out after veterinarians question company loyalty
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New feline thyroid drug raises safe-handling questions
2/1/2010
Experts say warnings apply to all forms of methimazole
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Seven labels tied to Teva ketamine recall, FDA says
12/31/2009
Details from FDA could alleviate confusion for practitioners
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Expanded ketamine recall leaves veterinarians with unanswered questions
12/29/2009
Action culminates rocky year for Teva Animal Health
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2009 brought huge consolidations in animal health industry
12/21/2009
Butler and Schein merger latest in a series
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Drug maker sues compounding pharmacy
12/17/2009
Bayer says Wedgewood infringing on patent
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Merial reports Immiticide, Heartgard shortages
12/5/2009
Rationing of Immiticide leaves some veterinarians in a lurch
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Confounding Compounding
11/24/2009
Growth of pharmacy practice fuels worries about quality, future
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Company short on Vetsulin details, veterinarians long on frustration
11/9/2009
Practitioners confused, asking questions about stability concerns following FDA's warning
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BI reportedly stops U.S. sales of Mexitil, sparking concern from veterinarians
10/8/2009
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA might be nation’s only maker of mexiletine hydrochloride
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Dog stuck in crate highlights rare risk of spot-on flea treatment
10/7/2009
Benzyl alcohol acted like glue, sticking pet to plastic
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Virbac recalls Iverhart Plus
8/20/2009
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Propofol recall expanded
8/4/2009
Three additional lots affected
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Teva Animal Health closes shop
8/3/2009
FDA shuts down plant, sparks product availability concerns
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Sanofi makes $4-billion deal with Merck for Merial
7/31/2009
Ultimate plan could create world's largest animal-health company
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Tainted lots of propofol prompt recall
7/15/2009
CDC, FDA urge clinicians to check inventory
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FDA denies Nutro investigation despite reports indicating otherwise
4/27/2009
News outlets retract stories that link pet food to adverse reactions, including death
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Makers of spot-on products summoned for EPA meeting
4/24/2009
Oregon State University is taking adverse reaction reports from veterinarians
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EPA investigates reactions from flea, tick killers
4/17/2009
Agency is scrutinizing products' safety
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HSUS to take Prop 2-like action to Ohio
4/6/2009
Veterinarians gear up for talks to thwart high-stakes conflict with activists
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The flea market
4/6/2009
Exploring the diversion of parasiticides from manufacturers, veterinary offices to Web sites, store shelves
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Economic downturn hits veterinary practices
3/11/2009
New VIN survey results anticipated
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Merck buys Schering-Plough
3/11/2009
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Blockbuster Pfizer-Wyeth deal stirs veterinary medicine
2/9/2009
Merger muddies outlook for Fort Dodge Animal Health
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About-face by Florida regulators eases permit policy for DVMs
1/14/2009
Refunds are on the agenda, FVMA says
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Treatment for Cushing's syndrome to hit market
12/17/2008
FDA approves trilostane for canine patients
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VetCentric Executive Admits Accounts Irk Many
11/23/2008
VetCentric gives veterinarians a hard pill to swallow while altering business model in response to authorities ruling their original business model a kick back for writing prescription.
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Glycopyrrolate shortage?
10/17/2008
It's still in stock, distributors say
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FDA alerts veterinarians to new ivermectin directions
9/10/2008
Merial changes instructions for Eqvalan Liquid for Horses
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EPA survey: How do you dispose of unused pharmaceuticals?
8/29/2008
Agency wants to know why some still dump drugs down the drain
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Theophylline production held up by FDA, manufacturer says
8/11/2008
Drug remains available in 100mg, 200mg tablets
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Veterinarians face atropine shortage?
8/1/2008
Penn Veterinary Supply says it has the drug in stock despite backorder claims
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15 drugs received approval in 2007, FDA reports
7/23/2008
Slentrol, Vetmedin, Cerenia rank among what agency officials characterize as "new therapeutic advances"
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Drug makers agree to ethical code for doctor-company relationships
7/15/2008
Veterinary medicine might be next, insiders say
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FDA approves antimicrobial for aquaculture uses
7/11/2008
Supplemental OK involves Terramycin 200
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UPDATE: FDA bans cephalosporin drugs in food animals
7/3/2008
Federal regulators issue change amid concerns about antimicrobial resistance
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Novartis pleads with veterinarians: ‘Save us a spot’
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August 29, 2012
By: Jennifer Fiala
For The VIN News Service
 Photo by Kayla Rubenthaler
Novartis promises veterinarians in an Aug. 28 letter: "Once back, we will work hard to regain the trust of your clients — and you."
In a letter dated Tuesday to veterinarians, Novartis Animal Health sales executive Andy Ferrigno did not provide firm distribution dates for Interceptor Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Flavor Tabs. Both of the popular anti-parasitics have been backordered since Novartis’s manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Neb., closed last December. The shutdown followed a series of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that revealed manufacturing mishaps and sloppy quality control procedures.
Other veterinary-specific drugs including the anti-anxiety medication Clomicalm (clomipramine hydrochloride); Program tablets and suspension; Milbemite; and the arthritis pain medication Deramaxx (deracoxib) also are casualties of manufacturing woes at the Lincoln facility.
The absence of Interceptor and Sentinel, however, is attracting the most attention from veterinarians; the drugs are used monthly for parasite control. With production of Novartis pet parasiticides on hiatus, drug companies carrying competing products might offer discounts and delayed payment options to veterinarians. In a densely populated and competitive market, one objective might be to provide veterinarians with enough stock to ensure they won’t return to Novartis brands once distribution recommences.
“Your clinic will be approached in the coming months by our competitors, offering you load-in deals and terms that may draw your interest,” wrote Ferrigno, vice president of sales. “While we understand your need to do what is right for your business, patients and clients, we hope you will seriously consider saving us a spot on your shelves. We politely ask that you give your Novartis sales representatives a chance to earn back your business …”
Despite the plea, Dr. John Daugherty thinks Novartis’s market share in animal health might be damaged permanently. Like his colleagues, he has 20 or more flea and tick products and roughly 10 heartworm preventatives from which to choose. Once an exclusive user of Interceptor and Sentinel, the practice owner in Poland, Ohio, said he’s not returning to Novartis-brand parasiticides anytime soon.
“I had 1,500 patients on Interceptor,” Daugherty said. “We can’t go a whole year without heartworm preventative. At this point, we have almost all of our clients switched over to something else. I’m not going to tell them next year that they now need to switch back.”
Other veterinarians are angered that Novartis continues to offer vague re-release dates. At least one practitioner took to the message boards of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), an online community for the profession and parent of the VIN News Service, to vent his frustration about the lack of concrete information in Ferrigno’s letter.
“This really isn’t an update (but) more than a PR (public relations) letter,” wrote Dr. Rich Selkowitz, a practitioner in Rockaway, N.Y. “I am sick of giving clients a date on the return of your products based upon information given by drug reps, and then having to inform them that, nope, we don’t have it yet.”
Another source of contention: The online pharmacy Drs. Foster & Smith and some other retail outlets are stocked with Interceptor and Sentinel despite the halt in production and Novartis’s policy to only sell its products to licensed veterinarians.
“To find out that I have clients getting it from Foster and Smith after telling them that there was no way that Foster and Smith had any only makes me look like a lying you-know-what to my clients,” Selkowitz wrote in the discussion. “If you want me to ‘save a spot’ on my shelf, give me real dates as to when I can expect product shipment.”
A representative of Wisconsin-based Drs. Foster & Smith confirmed that the company is carrying Interceptor and Sentinel in select weight classes for dogs. Both of the drugs require a veterinary prescription.
Spokesman Gordon Magee declined to confirm whether Novartis sells directly to Drs. Foster & Smith or if the online pharmacy is supplied with backordered Novartis products via gray market channels — a means of distribution that allows retail and online pharmacies to circumvent manufacturers’ policies to sell their products exclusively through veterinary practices. The system is legal, at least for non-prescription medications, but considered unethical by much of the veterinary profession.
“We do keep detailed records for where we source our products, but we don’t reveal sources,” Magee said by email. In a phone interview, he explained that Drs. Foster & Smith keeps its sources confidential to stay abreast of competition from other online pharmaceutical outfits catering to animals.
Contacted by the VIN News Service, PetMed Express cited a “nationwide shortage” when asked if the online pharmacy had Interceptor or Sentinel in stock. A Costco pharmacy in Middleton, Wis., carried a supply of Sentinel, but not in every weight class.
In his letter, Novartis’s Ferrigno insinuated that the company is investigating how its products are cropping up online despite the fact that veterinarians can’t get their hands on them.
“Over the past several weeks, we have received numerous comments from our veterinary customers that some of our out-of-stock brands have been found in certain retail chains and stores,” he wrote. “This has prompted some concern and frustration that we may be selling our limited supply of product into that segment rather than to the veterinary channel. I can personally assure you that this is not the case.”
He reaffirmed Novartis’s policy to distribute products only to veterinarians and alluded to the possibility that practitioners who purchased Novartis products may have resold them to brokers that supply online and retail sectors.
“Any product that found its way into those retail channels was most likely diverted without our knowledge … either from residual customer inventory that predated our product shortages or, quite disappointingly, product shipped from our limited inventory this year,” Ferrigno wrote. “We will continue to investigate the situation and put measures in place that will help ensure the integrity and proper administration of our products.”
Dr. Maren Bell Jones of Columbia, Mo., doubts the company’s sincerity.
“I would like to be 100 percent moved on from Novartis products,” she said. “Don’t promise that you’ll be back up and running, fail to do that and then get product out to these other (retail and online) places. I’d like them to be straightforward instead of being so vague. The whole thing irritates me.”
Novartis spokesman Joe Burkett said by email that he couldn’t “speak to” the frustration expressed by some veterinarians. When asked to pinpoint a re-release date for products manufactured in Lincoln, he pointed to a fact sheet posted on the company’s website, reporting that some Novartis Animal Health are in “various stages of pre-production and production.”
“Production, packaging and shipping of the 5-mg strength of Clomicalm (clomipramine hydrochloride) is now ongoing at the Lincoln plant, and shipments of that stock keeping unit (SKU) began in mid-June,” the website says. “We also have initiated validation batch production of Sentinel (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron) Flavor Tabs at the plant, a critical phase of process testing that is required before full scale production can begin. As we validate, technical issues do arise.
“Due to the evolving situation at the plant, we cannot give exact dates when product will be shipping."
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