[CorkyMax]

Just received this info in an email newsletter I get from a vet: A Heads Up About Novartis Products by Nancy Kay, DVM ©

Boy, oh boy, am I glad I am not the CEO of Novartis Pharmaceuticals right now. On January 9th of this year the company issued a voluntary recall of some of their over-the-counter human products including Excedrin, NoDoz, Gas-X Prevention Products, and Bufferin. It seems that these medications contained stray tablets, capsules, or caplets from other Novartis drugs including prescription painkillers manufactured at the same facility.

Description: http://www.speakingforspot.com/Images/clomicalm.jpg

Now veterinarians are involved in the ruckus with the announcement that the following drugs are/soon will be on back order:

Interceptor Flavor Tabs® (heartworm preventive) (And darn---I only have one capsule left and I need at least 2 in less then a month!!)

Sentinel Flavor Tabs® (flea control product)

Program Tablets and Suspension® (flea control product)

MilbeMite® (medication to treat ear mites)

Deramaxx® (pain relief medication)

The explanation for the backorders is closure of a Novartis manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Nebraska. The details are murky as of yet, but interruption of the manufacture of such top selling drugs typically means one thing and one thing only. I suspect that Novartis has been busted for being sloppy, perhaps as related to the recent recall of some of their big-name over-the-counter human products.

Such sloppiness seems to have spilled over to the Novartis animal health division as evidenced by the following letter recently delivered to veterinarians about Clomicalm®, a medication to treat separation anxiety in dogs:

Dear Doctor:

Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. is committed to delivering safe and efficacious veterinary products, and would like to inform you about a recent development involving CLOMICALM® (clomipramine hydrochloride) tablets.

Due to potential packaging issues at our manufacturing facility, there is a rare possibility that a wrong tablet may be found in bottles of CLOMICALM®. Novartis has not received any reports where a patient experienced a product mix-up, nor has Novartis received any adverse events attributable to a product mix-up. However, as a precautionary measure, we would like to extend the following recommendations.

1) Before dispensing CLOMICALM®, open each bottle and examine the contents for tablets that are broken or incorrect in color, shape or size (visual guide included).

2) Post a copy of the Dear Valued Customer letter issued by Novartis Animal Health in your clinic (copy included).

3) Distribute copies of the Dear Valued Customer letter to affected pet owners. Novartis Animal Health will send your clinic extra copies upon request. If you publish a clinic newsletter, please consider using the provided notice.

4) Report any abnormal findings to Novartis Animal Health at 800-637-0281.

5) Return affected product to Novartis Animal Health; call the aforementioned number for full details.

6) Inform your clients who have already received CLOMICALM® to examine tablets and refrain from administering any that are questionable in color, shape or size; and to contact Novartis Animal Health to discuss product return of affected bottles.

7) Keep records of communication with pet owners in patient files.

8) Ensure that any re-packaged tablet bottles are labeled with the product lot number.

Novartis Animal Health requests that you complete and return the enclosed Response Card reflecting that you have read and understand these points, and have discussed them with your clients.

Canine separation anxiety is a complex disorder that has great bearing on patient quality of life and the human-companion animal bond. Uninterrupted treatment is essential for successful management of this condition. Our veterinarians are prepared to discuss best practices with you in the event patients require alternative therapies, in order to minimize the risk of adverse events and potential relapse of signs.

We thank you for your attention and cooperation regarding this important issue. If you have any further questions, please contact Technical Product Services and Pharmacovigilance at 1-800-637-0281.

My response to a letter like this is, “Oy vey!” although I admit to being excited about adding the word “pharmacovigilance” to my repertoire!

So, what does this mean for you and your pets? If you are treating your dog or cat with a product manufactured by Novartis Animal Health, I strongly encourage you to call or email your veterinarian to plan a course of action. If need be, he or she may recommend an alternative so as to avoid any interruption in your pet’s therapy.

Is your dog or cat currently taking a Novartis product? If so, which one?

If you would like to respond publicly, please visit A Heads Up About Novartis Products speakingforspot.com.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

[Lunareclipse]

This is a serious screwup. I hope nobody's dog gets hurt.

[CorkyMax]

I emailed my vet as soon as I found out about this soon (already for me!) to be a big problem I think! I had made an appointment for Sami's wellness exam and had asked if they had this Interceptor at the time I called for the appointment---which I had made last week--early--And this was before I knew about the backorder deal!! I had told her I would need a 12 pack then! I wanted to be sure they had some or else get some before I came in this Thursday as I wanted to get a 12 pack--I only had 1 tab left! Well on the phone--the receptionist told me at that time yes they would have some for me (a 12 pack). Turns out they sold 18 tabs last week and now they only have 8 left--enough for my 2 dogs for 4 months. I wish the heck she would of set 12 of them aside for me--The more I think about it --the more I am starting to get ticked off! I need the Interceptor because it is the only heartworm med that controls the whipworm too--which my rescued stray brought with her. This whipworm is a worm you can't get rid of--stays in the soil for years and years so you have to give this med every month to keep it from staying in your dog(s)! I don't know if there is another med (Not combined in the heartworm med--only in the Interceptor.) like a wormer--but you (I don't for sure!!) would have to give something every month for this dang whipworm and I am not going to put that much more poison in my dogs every month!!! And it would be costly too. It is bad enough that I know I will pay more for these 8 tabs---cheaper in a 12 pack!

Guess I am bitching here but I just found out that they don't have what I need after they told me they did and went ahead and sold it to someone else after that! Plus I just want to let everyone here know they better get what they can while they still can if it's not too late already! The meds that are going to be on backorders are listed in that 1st post above.

[Lunareclipse]

At least they had that much for you. By the time you need it again, they will have plenty. Just think that someone else got the medicine they needed for their dog too and not just you.

[CorkyMax]

It sounds like now the back orders are stopped and things are okay---But still have my fingers crossed! I --in reading that email from that vet--got the impression that she thought there was more going on with that company then they were telling--that they were sloppy and maybe in trouble because of it. I wonder if they wanted to 'dump' some of the older meds they had on hand before they got in deeper trouble over them---So 'created this shortage' to get people to buy now so they could get rid of some of their 'batches!' I hope that isn't the case or I will be wondering if they are safe! I as you prob. know don't think much of greedy pharmeceutical companies! I called to the vet's office again to make sure they would order more and so be in line. Sounds like they got word today about being able to get the meds now and they had already put in an order. They are expecting to have it in by the time--Thursday afternoon--that I will be in for Sami's appointment! Hooray!! The 8 pills I would of gotten would have cost me $8.00 more ($1.00 more per pill then if I got a 12 pack.---They are still holding the 8 for me till they see the 12 pack come in. Darn 12 pack is going to cost me $77.88 as it is and by the time I get a wellness exam--blood work and all the other things I want them to check out--It is going to be over $200.00. You know Sami had mammary gland cancer when I rescued her a year ago this past Dec.--They think they got it all but I discovered a growth now close to the side of the neck and I think it is fairly recent and think it is growing fast. Then Max is due next month for his wellness exam and 'all the trimmings'--I have to have him checked for different things as he has the same thing Corky had---But Max had only a slight heart enlargement as checked with an x-ray. He needs to have a new x-ray taken to see if there is any change--I sure hope it is okay--I supplement both him and Sami with taurine and hope it is doing it's job!---So Max's appointment is going to be over $200.00 too, Just hope they both are in good health!

So according to my vet--The backorders are no longer in play but will still suggest if you are close to out --Get some now anyway!