Glycopyrrolate shortage?
Published: October 17, 2008
Jennifer Fiala
Veterinarians are reporting a glycopyrrolate shortage, but of the three
distributors contacted by the VIN News Service, just one reports a
backorder.
Internet rumors have circulated of a raw materials shortage in
relationship to the drug, but IVX Animal Health, believed by some to be
the only maker of the drug currently used in veterinary medicine,
claimed that they do not currently manufacture glycopyrrolate, despite
submitting a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) NADA application to
make generic glycopyrrolate in 2006. Instead, IVX Animal Health
representatives referred to Fort Dodge Animal Health's status as
the only manufacturer of glycopyrrolate approved by the agency for use in animals.
Yet a call to Fort Dodge reveals the company stopped manufacturing
ROBINUL-V, the only brand-name version of glycopyrrolate in veterinary
medicine, in August 2007. Officials did not give a reason for the
discontinuation.
Despite the confusion, veterinarians still have access to the
human-version of the drug, according to Webster Veterinary
Supply Inc. and Butler Animal Health Supply. However, Midwest Veterinary Supply reports a
backorder.
"All I can tell you is that we have it in stock, and we're not set
to get another order in until November," says Dr. Scott Handler,
Webster's director of Marketing, Communication and Education.