On Aug. 30, Luitpold Pharmaceuticals hosted a soon-to-be published roundtable discussion on the illegal compounding of equine veterinary drugs.

“We have seen an alarming increase in the amount of compounded medications sold to equine veterinarians,” said Gary White, DVM, a Luitpold spokesperson and researcher. “Some experts have estimated that as much as 30% of the drugs that equine veterinarians are using are compounded. We’re concerned about the impact of this largely unregulated business on both the affected horses and the veterinary profession.”

Besides White, the roundtable participants included Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, FRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, ECVS, professor of equine surgery and director of equine orthopedic laboratories at Colorado State University; Robert Stenbom, DVM, manager of medical affairs for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Joe Bertone, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, professor at Western States Veterinary Medicine School in Pomona, California; and Rick Mitchell, DVM, IVAS, owner and partner at Fairfield Equine Clinic in Fairfield, Connecticut.

A transcript of the 3-hour discussion will be prepared and published in a number of veterinary trade publications and horse owner magazines, including The Horse. Stay tuned for what the practitioners discussed