Supply of chemotherapeutic agents to vets

Some AVA members will know that Baxter Professional Australia recently ceased supplying chemotherapeutics (particularly compounded, individual dose packs) to veterinarians. Baxter reported that their withdrawal from the veterinary market was due to increased demand in the human sector and restricted capacity to supply both markets.

AVA members Dr Penny Thomas (specialist veterinary Oncologist) and Dr Michael Hayward (ACT Division immediate past President) have worked hard on this issue and confirmed two possible alternative supply routes. Information on these is contained below for the benefit of AVA members. Please note that AVA does not recommend one supplier over another.  

HPS Pharmacies: HPS Pharmacies is a large, widely disseminated company that provides pharmacy services, including compounding, in public and private hospitals and veterinary clinics. HPS have confirmed they can start the supply of chemotherapeutics commonly used in veterinary medicine immediately. Current turnaround time will likely be 72 hours in metro clinics and 5 days for rural clinics. Veterinarians in need of this service should contact Feipin (Fei) Lee.

Bova Compounding. Bova Compounding in Sydney have also been contacted and are investigating how they can assist. 

Thanks to AVA members, Dr Penny Thomas, who immediately contacted alternate suppliers on behalf of the profession to gauge their capacity to meet the needs of practitioners performing cancer chemotherapy, and Dr Michael Hayward, who liaised extensively with Penny and spoke to the media on this issue last week.