United States: Cat owners are amazed and feel privileged that a particular drug affecting the treatment of a fatal illness that is almost life-threatening in cats will be available in the United States on June 1.
More about the news
According to Stokes Pharmacy, a New Jersey-based compounding pharmacy, “Stokes Pharmacy has formed an exclusive partnership with the Bova Group to offer a U.S.-made compounded oral treatment for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP),” as Fox News reported.
Besides, a Bova-based in UK and Australia company was involved in the manufacturing of GS-441524 drug, which is used in the treatment of FIP, starting from 2021. There was no sale access to the US market as well, either.
Stokes said, “This treatment is supported by Bova’s unique drug formula, which has been used in clinical research studies across the globe and is currently in use in the U.K. and Australia,” as Fox News reported.
What has the US FDA stated?
In its May 10th statement, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said there are “certain conditions where the agency does not intend to take enforcement actions for compounded products for use in animals,” and the drugs hasn’t made a FDA-approved drug technically.
More about the FIP disease
According to the website of Cornell University’s Feline Health Center, FIP is a “viral disease of cats caused by certain strains of a virus called the feline coronavirus,” as Fox News reported.
Here, most coronaviruses related to feline are relatively harmless and resolve on their own; however, the FIP form is considered more harmful when the virus mutates itself sometimes.
The Cornwell website stated, “Once a cat develops clinical FIP, the disease is usually progressive and almost always fatal.”
How has FIP been treated in the US till now?
However, up to this moment, American cat owners have relied on supplies through the “black market” and have not yet had the drug also approved for this country.
FIP Warriors, a group that came into existence during the month of March 2019, allowing cat owners access to the drugs that are used to treat their affected cats, was optimistic when told that veterinarians will now be allowed to prescribe treatment medications for their sick cats.
Moreover, the group also noted, “We have very little factual information at this time and eagerly await more details from Bova and Stokes to become available. We are in direct contact with Bova and will be sharing all updates we receive with the entire FIP Warriors community.”
The group added, “Our sincere hope is that a safe, affordable and easily accessible medication option will help treat and cure as many FIP cats as possible and that this is a positive first step toward that goal,” and, “We will continue our diligent work to educate both veterinarians and cat parents as the FIP landscape evolves.”
A case of treatment of cat from “black market”
An activist and author, Hannah Shaw, who is also a founder of the nonprofit organization Kitten Lady, treated her pet cat for FIP by availing drugs from a black market.
Shaw said, “It is a huge triumph that FIP — which has been considered a fatal disease for so long — is now able to be legally treated by veterinarians,” as Fox News reported.
Shaw also added that it was frustrating how “animal advocates have been successfully treating cats for FIP for a number of years, but navigating that care has been incredibly complicated for the average cat guardian.”
She said, “GS-441524 completely cured her of FIP, and thanks to the drug, I got another amazing two years with her,” as Fox News reported.
“This moment is the culmination of years of research, advocacy, and activism from a movement that is sick of seeing cats die due to lacking access to lifesaving treatment, and it’s a huge cause for celebration,” she added further.