Attendees at the Oct. 20 meeting of the Kentucky Allied Animal Health Industry Association (KAAHIA) expected a lively discussion of compounding regulation and enforcement, as it featured speakers Bob Douglas, BS, MS, PhD, and Stephen Atwood (managing partner and legal counsel/equity holder, respectively) of BET Pharm, a compounding pharmacy in Lexington, Ky., that was a recent target of a FDA investigation and raid (for more information, see articles 2493, 5244, 5245, and 1909). Attendees weren’t disappointed, as there was a very spirited, sometimes contentious, nearly three-hour discussion of relevant legislation, compounding and the practice of veterinary medicine, and compounders’ and FDA rights and responsibilities.

KAAHIA president Mike Duvall of Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica began the meeting by noting that the purpose of the discussion was to understand the manufacturers’, veterinarians’, and distributors’ roles in providing medications for horses.

“There are two sides to all issues,” began Douglas. “It’s good to have a chance to articulate our position. We think we have a right to function within the compounding industry within the laws.” While the FDA has said that BET Pharm violated several provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, BET Pharm disagrees and has stated that the FDA in fact has no jurisdiction over them, that compounding pharmacies’ true authorities are the state boards of pharmacy, and that they are in compliance with Kentucky’s regulations.

“We happen to be the first poster child chosen for FDA’s intrusion into our area,” Douglas said