At this year’s Veterinary Pain Short Course, held August 22-25, 2018 in San Diego, several IVAPM past-presidents and current leaders, participated in a discussion specific to the shortage of opioids in veterinary medicine and alternatives to useage. While additional information is still forthcoming, below are IVAPM-endorsed resources and links, where you can find up-to-date information from boarded veterinarians, the AVMA and the FDA.
As more information becomes available, we’ll post it here and on the member portal for review.
IVAPM
UPDATE 02.01.19: Opioid Shortage will Remain Throughout 2019
Pfizer has released an updated statement about the shortage of sterile injectables. While the situation is improving, it will be towards the end of 2019, beginning of 2020 before the issues is resolved. Click here to read more.
Opioid Availability! (12.14.18)
The FDA announced that it has worked with Pfizer Inc. to help alleviate a shortage of certain injectable opioids available to treat pain in animals, by facilitating the availability of a limited amount of product labeled for human use. The FDA had already given Pfizer permission to import Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Injection to help alleviate the ongoing opioid shortage in human medicine. As a result of CVM’s recent discussion with Pfizer, this product is now available in limited quantities for pain management in animals. In addition to hydromorphone, Pfizer also has made Morphine Sulfate Injection, USP available to the U.S. veterinary market. (FDA)
To read the full article, click here.
Opioid-Sparing Task Force releases White Paper for review – click below to read and learn more!
Remember, there are two opioids developed specific for veterinary use:
- Pfizer Suspends Delivery of Injectable Opioids to Veterinary Customers, By American Veterinarian
- Why Doctors Don’t Use Alternatives to Opioids, By The Washington Post
- Pain Relief Without Opioids? It’s Possible!, By Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, DACVAA
AVMA
- What Veterinarians Need to Know About the Opioid Epidemic, By JAVMA News
- AVMA Policy: The Veterinary Profession’s Role in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
- This policy outlines the objectives and efforts supported by the AVMA to address the national opioid epidemic.
- State-by-State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (AVMA login required)
- This link summarizes state laws and regulations, showing the extent to which veterinarians are required to participate in prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), including reporting requirements and database search requirements.
- State-by-State CE Requirements (AVMA login required)
- This link summarizes state laws and regulations defining veterinary continuing education requirements as it relates to specific provisions to opioids and/or other controlled substances.
- Vet Shopping & Drug Diversion (AVMA login required)
- Once logged in, you can download a printable resource to use in your back office and help your staff identify “vet shoppers” in an effort to combat drug diversion.
- Prescription Writing & DEA Guidelines for Prescriptions
FDA
- Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, Statement: New resource Guide to Support Responsible Opioid Prescribing for Pain Management in Animals
- The Opioid Epidemic: What Veterinarians Need to Know
- Click here to read about which drugs are in shortage, their manufacturers and any information on when the shortage could potentially be resolved
- Click here to read more about opioid analgesic risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (not veterinary specific)
- Click here to read an article about pet owners using their animals to gain access to opioids
