Essential Pharmacy Compounding

PcabHeaderRightAddress: 620 N 114th St. Omaha, NE 68154
Phone: 888-733-0300 ext 3
Fax: 402-408-0020
Email us: vet@epcvet.com

  • Home
  • Why We Do What We Do
  • Accreditations and Memberships
  • Medication Search
  • Blog
  • Contact

Landsharks

dogsharkAnimals in shark costumes are cute. Not so cute situations are with animals that are dangerous to handle when treating. EPC is constantly finding ways to improve these situations. For example otic treatments, joint injections with steroids, joint injections with stem cells and platelet rich plasma, topical therapies for chronic wounds, injections for deep abscesses or surgical plate infection prophylaxis. Email dr.olson@epcvet.com or call 800-733-0300 to learn more.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Are Your Sterile Compounds Accredited?

According to Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs, “How to Find a Quality Assured Compounding Pharmacy”, the first step to choosing a compounding pharmacy is to look for PCABⓇ Accreditation.

In the pharmacy world there are a multitude of accreditations, certifications, endorsements and memberships that a pharmacy may attain. The Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation BoardⓇ (PCAB) is the one that specifically pertains to compounding. If you are going to prescribe a compound you need to ensure the pharmacy is accredited by the organization that in fact accredits compounding pharmacies. PCAB accredits in multiple categories, most pertinent to veterinary prescribers are non-sterile & sterile compounding. Here is how to verify a compounding pharmacy is accredited by PCAB in sterile compounding.

  1. Go to http://www.achc.org/resources/accreditedLocations
  2. I find it easiest to search “By State/City” just in case the pharmacy’s legal name is slightly different.1
    3. Click “Show/Hide Accreditation Details” to reveal “Services”:2

    4. Ensure both “PCAB Non-Sterile Compounding” and “PCAB Sterile Compounding.” It is possible to PCAB Non-Sterile and NOT PCAB Sterile, therefore if you prescribe a sterile compound you need to go the extra step to verify “PCAB Sterile Compounding.”5. **Best Practice Tip – Professional Liability** Verify, document and keep this PCAB search verification in your medical records for any compounded sterile or nonsterile prescription.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

pH Meter & Why do we pH Drugs?

ph-meter

A pH Meter is a device used for potentiometrically measuring the pH, which is either the concentration or the activity of hydrogen ions, of an aqueous solution. It usually has a glass electrode plus a calomel reference electrode (meter), or a combination electrode.The pH (always written little p, big H) of a substance is an indication of how many hydrogen ions it forms in a certain volume of water. There’s no absolute agreement on what “pH” actually stands for, but most people define it as something like “power of hydrogen” or “potential of hydrogen.” For pH meters to be accurate, they have to be properly calibrated, so they usually need testing and adjusting before you start to use them. You calibrate a pH meter by dipping it into buffers (see photo below) and adjust the meter accordingly. The standard buffers are a pH of 4, 7, and 10. Another important consideration is that pH measurements made this way depend on temperature. Some meters have built-in thermometers and automatically correct their own pH measurements as the temperature changes. Our pH meters have the thermometers built in. Calibrations should be performed daily, or before each use if not used daily. All sterile CSPs (compounded sterile products) are pH-ed when made.

The pH is one of the most important factors affecting the stability of a preparation. Pharmacists use published pH and stability profiles to determine the pH that will ensure maximum stability. The pH is important in drug formulations, both in sterile and non-sterile compounding and also for pet and human medications. The reason is because it affects drug solubility, activity, absorption, stability, and patient comfort. A slight increase or decrease in pH can cause some drugs to precipitate from a solution. Conversely, a slight adjustment of pH can aid in solubilizing some drugs. Higher and lower pH can cause discomfort and/or burns on the skin or mouth, so patient comfort should always be a priority.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Now on ACVIM Marketplace!

marketplace

EPC is now on the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Marketplace. Not only does this showcase EPC, it also supports the ACVIM. ACVIM Diplomates are now able to find EPC’s information, making it easier to compare compounders. Diplomates unfamiliar with EPC will quickly learn why EPC is the Nation’s Leading Veterinarian Compounding Pharmacy.

For more information, click here .

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Compounding for Exotic Animals

reptile

Respectfully submitted by: Sarah Iannacone Third year pharmacy student working with Dr. Drew Olson at Essential Pharmacy Compounding (EPC).

Do you consider yourself a whiz when it comes to cats, dogs and horses but what about the not so common companion pets like reptiles, ferrets, and rabbits? According to the 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook the amount of households that have exotic pets is slowly on the fall compared to 2007. However that number is still quite large. The number of US households that have exotic pets is 16,722,000 US households have exotic pets! The most common exotic pets include fish, rabbits, turtles, poultry, and hamsters. When treating these animals finding the right dose and volume can be difficult to find through manufactured drugs. For example, an oral liquid dose for a rabbit should be limited to 0.5 mls per dose. At Essential Pharmacy Compounding we can formulate the medication needed to the specific dose required and concentrate it so the volume is within a good range for the animal. We can even add in a flavor that the animal may enjoy, allowing us to make treating the animal easier.

For more information for your clients regarding exotic pets check out dvm360.com/exoticpetcare for handouts. Be sure to get yourself a copy of Exotic Animal Formulary by James W. Carpenter to refer to for questions with dosing and drug options for these animals. As always remember EPC is just a phone call away and can help you determine if a compound is an option for you and your patient and we are happy to help you walk through the process.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Confusion Clears on Compounded Veterinary Medications

Drew-Site-Bio-Pic
Dr. Drew Olson, DVM

Two recent developments clear up the recent confusion concerning the use of compounded medications by veterinarians.

  1. The Nebraska Pharmacy Board says that compounded emergency veterinary medications may be provided to prescribers labeled “office use” for companion animals.
  2. The federal Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA) does not apply to veterinary compounded medications, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed.

The clarification from the Nebraska Pharmacy Board came about because Drew Olson DVM, of Essential Pharmacy Compounding, raised the issue. Dr. Olson made presentations on the issue to the Nebraska Veterinary Medicine Association, the Nebraska Board of Veterinary Medicine as well as the Nebraska Pharmacy Board.

The Board confirmed that “office use” compounded medications may be prescribed by veterinarians when used for emergencies or immunizations. The Board added:

“The Pharmacy Practice Act does not define ‘emergency.’ Deciding what constitutes an ‘emergency’ is left to each practitioner to decide on a case by case basis, recognizing that qualified professionals have considerable discretion in making that judgment.”

Regarding the DQSA, the FDA confirms that it applies to “human drug compounding” only, and veterinary compounded medications are regulated by state pharmacy authorities. For more detail on this topic, read this alert from the Duane Morris LLP law firm.

Essential Pharmacy Compounding (EPC) is your premier source for all animal formulations. EPC is accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) in sterile, non-sterile, controlled and chemotherapy medication. EPC leads the nation with the capability to provide medication to any patient anywhere within all 50 states.

Filed Under: EPC Vet Updates, Uncategorized

New Archives

  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
RxPad_BUTTON
Social Engagement

RECENT POSTS

  • Managing Osteoarthritis in our Canine and Feline Friends
  • New Standards Regarding the Handling of Hazardous Drugs
  • Household Holiday Hazards
  • Prestigious Accreditation Once Again!
  • Treating Animals Through Medicine: Watch Now

FIND IT HERE

  • Home
  • Why We Do What We Do
  • Accreditations and Memberships
  • Medication Search
  • Blog
  • Contact
 

Copyright © 2018 · Essential Pharmacy Compounding Vet · Toll Free: 888-733-0300 Ext: 3

 

EPC Compounding is a licensed compounding pharmacy that only engages in compounding in response to a physician's prescription. A written prescription from a licensed physician is required for compounded medication. The information on the site is general in nature and is only intended for use as an educational tool. You should consult your physician or a EPC Compounding pharmacist if you have any specific questions relating to the diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements about products and health conditions have not been evaluated by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), nor has the FDA approved the products to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.