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Veterinarians say compounding rules are restricting access to critical animal medications in California
Summary
The California Veterinary Medical Association told a joint Assembly–Senate sunset hearing that stringent compounding rules and regulatory pressures have reduced veterinary compounding capacity and left veterinarians unable to obtain needed formulations for animals.
Representatives of the California Veterinary Medical Association told the joint committee that veterinarians in California cannot obtain certain critical drugs because FDA‑approved formulations do not exist and community compounding capacity has declined.
Grant Miller, director of regulatory affairs for the California Veterinary Medical Association, told the committee, “California is the only state in the country in which veterinarians are reporting that they do not have access to critical drugs to treat their patients.” He cited medicines used in ophthalmic care for horses and medications for exotic animals that, he said, are obtainable only through compounding pharmacies.
Why it matters: veterinarians said the reduction in community compounding pharmacies — from more than 100 a decade ago to “only a handful” now, by their estimate — forces animal owners and veterinarians to seek scarce alternatives or to refer animals to specialty centers. A pharmacist at a compounding facility told lawmakers that an estimated 20 percent of pets and up to 40 percent of large animals may need compounded medications at some point in their lives.
Board representatives said compounding rule changes are intended to protect patient safety and to align practice with federal law and USP standards; the board also described opportunities for written comment and public hearings during rulemaking.
No committee action was taken; veterinary groups asked the committees to convene stakeholders to resolve access questions and to press the board to consider veterinary needs in its regulatory approach.
