This article was originally printed in the May/June 2025 issue of the California Veterinarian magazine.

Due to the progressively and overly stringent compounding regulations by the California Board of Pharmacy (BOP), there are only a few veterinary compounding pharmacies remaining in the state to provide medications for millions of animals. Additionally, the remaining compounding pharmacies have become increasingly disincentivized to produce certain important veterinary medications because of prohibitive BOP regulations.

For years, the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has warned the BOP that its rulemaking decisions would result in veterinarians being unable to acquire the medications they need to treat patients. This prediction was realized last year when both equine and avian practitioners reported they could not obtain several critically important medicines for their patients.

The CVMA’s lobbying efforts culminated in recent testimony in front of the state legislature, when CVMA Director of Regulatory Affairs Dr. Grant Miller made pointed statements about equine drug availability issues. “Veterinarians have to watch helplessly as innocent horses and other animals lose their eyesight,” Dr. Miller stated. “While recent efforts suggest that [BOP members] acknowledge the issue, they are not doing enough to solve the problem they created.”

As a result of Dr. Miller’s testimony, we are pleased to report that the California Veterinary Medical Board (CVMB) and BOP directed efforts toward locating a compounding pharmacy that could supply the medications. The CVMA also reached out to compounding pharmacies to relay the acute need for these medications in California.

CVMA Action Secures Equine Ophthalmic Medications

Since early 2024, several critically important equine sterile ophthalmic ointments have been unavailable in California:

• 0.1% Diclofenac, indicated for equine recurrent uveitis
• Dorzolamide-timolol, for equine glaucoma
• 0.1% Tacrolimus, for equine immune-mediated keratitis
• Voriconazole, for equine fungal keratitis
• Chloramphenicol, for equine stromal abscesses.

Wedgewood Compounding Pharmacy answered the call and now has the following sterile equine ophthalmic ointments available for shipment to California:

• 0.1% Diclofenac Sterile Ophthalmic Ointment, available for both office and patient-specific prescription
• 0.1% Tacrolimus Sterile Ophthalmic Ointment, also available for both office and patient-specific prescription
• Chloramphenicol Sterile Ophthalmic Ointment for office use only (dispensation to clients from office stock is permissible)
• Voriconazole Sterile Ophthalmic Ointment
• Dorzolamide-timolol.

To order these medications, visit wedgewood.com or call 877.357.6613.

CVMA and CVMB Locate Pharmacy for Avian/Exotics Calcium EDTA

In response to inquiries from avian and exotic veterinarians, the CVMA also approached the CVMB and BOP about the inability of California veterinarians to locate compounded Calcium EDTA 200 mg/mL sterile injection (also known as edetate calcium disodium). Thanks to the help of the CVMB, a compounding pharmacy that produces Calcium EDTA sterile injection has been located.

BCP Veterinary Pharmacy in Houston, Texas has Calcium EDTA Injection 200 mg/mL in stock and is able to ship into California. Shipment usually takes 2–3 business days but can be expedited if needed. To order this medication, visit bcpvetpharm.com or call 713.771.1144 or 800.481.1729. CA License: NRP 612/NSC 99229.

BCP Veterinary Pharmacy can fill a patient-specific prescription, but California law also permits it to compound a limited supply available for veterinary office use and dispensation to clients.

The CVMA will continue to closely monitor drug availability issues in California and advocate on behalf of equine, avian, and exotics veterinarians, as well as the entire veterinary profession and the animals it serves.