Wedgewood Pharmacy expands services offering in veterinary oncology

(Swedesboro NJ , January 15, 2009) — Wedgewood Pharmacy has expanded its oncology formulary to include both custom-compounded and manufactured chemotherapeutic and adjuvant agents. All medications are available by prescription for veterinary use only and are dispensed in dosage forms ranging from capsules and chewable treats to oral suspensions, ophthalmics and pre-filled syringes. The larger oncology formulary has been developed in response to the increased frequency of inquiries from veterinarians searching for veterinary oncology treatment options, which in turn reflects the increased willingness of pet owners to request cancer treatments for their pets. For a complete listing of medications visit WedgewoodPharmacy.com/oncology.

As part of the expanded line, Wedgewood Pharamcy can dispense pre-filled syringes of commercially available chemotherapeutic agents. The syringes are drawn-up and dispensed using a closed-system drug-transfer device that decreases the risk of cytotoxic exposure to anyone who handles the medication. Safe-handling instructions are included with all chemotherapeutic prescriptions shipped to veterinary offices and to pet owners' homes, with recommendations for handling cytotoxic/chemotherapy medications.

George J. Malmberg, R.Ph., F.A.C.A., F.A.C.V.P., the pharmacist president and C.E.O. of Wedgewood Pharmacy, said "Even though pet owners are seeking oncology treatment options for their pets that are similar to human regimens, there is a lack of commercially available therapies in the veterinary health market. As a compounding pharmacy, we provide custom oncology treatment options that veterinarians deem appropriate for individual patients. Most important, we are able to do so while adhering to safety standards that reduce the

A compounding pharmacy creates customized medications for individual patients in response to a licensed practitioner’s prescription. Wedgewood Pharmacy is one of the largest compounding pharmacies in the United States, serving more than 25,000 prescribers of compounded medications. It is located in Swedesboro NJ and licensed throughout the United States.

Because every patient is different and has different needs, customized, compounded medications are a vital part of quality medical care. The basis of the profession of pharmacy has always been the "triad," the patient-prescriber-pharmacist relationship.

Through this relationship, patient needs are determined by a prescriber, who chooses a treatment regimen that may include a compounded medication. Prescribers often prescribe compounded medications for reasons that include (but are not limited to) the following situations:

• When needed medications are discontinued by or generally unavailable from pharmaceutical companies, often because the medications are no longer profitable to manufacture;
• When the patient is allergic to certain preservatives, dyes or binders in available off-the shelf medications;
• When treatment requires tailored dosage strengths for patients with unique needs (for example, an infant);
• When a pharmacist can combine several medications the patient is taking to increase compliance;
• When the patient cannot ingest the medication in its commercially available form and a pharmacist can prepare the medication in cream, liquid or other form that the patient can easily take; and
• When medications require flavor additives to make them more palatable for some patients.

For additional information, visit the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists’ Web site at www.iacprx.org and www.compoundingfacts.org.