The following blog is written by Epicur Pharma’s Advisory Council member Debbie Boone, BS, CVPM. With over 23 years of in-clinic experience managing AAHA-accredited hospitals, Debbie understands the processes and systems a thriving practice must have in place – and what it takes to implement them. Debbie shares her perspective on referrals, and how veterinary professionals can ensure integrity and reliability through careful selection of the companies they utilize and endorse for crucial medications.
I find myself in this position quite often: people and companies reach out asking for my opinion or endorsement. After spending more years in veterinary medicine than I care to admit, it seems my name carries weight. Some products and services I truly believe in; others… not so much.
I’m sure you’ve faced the same challenge when referring clients to local emergency clinics, groomers, boarding facilities, specialists, or even pharmacies. The truth is, our referrals reflect back on us. No one wants to recommend a restaurant only to have their friends return with stories of bad food and worse service. It makes us look bad, and the same goes for any professional recommendation we make.
Over the years, I’ve worked with many companies I respect and admire, and I’ve turned down paid opportunities from those I felt weren’t up to par. My personal policy is simple:
“If I like your company and believe it provides value to veterinary medicine, I’ll gladly share your information—free of charge. But if I think you’re taking advantage of our profession, you couldn’t pay me enough to put my name behind your brand.”
Hopefully, my readers share the same core value of integrity when it comes to referrals.
So, how do I decide who earns my recommendation?
First, I turn to my network. I ask trusted colleagues—consultants, practice managers, and industry advisors—for their experiences. I don’t pretend to be an expert in every area, but I’ve built relationships over the past 20 years with people whose opinions I value and trust. I simply ask, “What experience have you had with [Company X]?”
Next, I do my own homework. I request product demos. I speak with current customers. And whenever possible, I visit the company in person.
When Stokes Healthcare, parent company of Stokes Pharmacy and Epicur Pharma, asked me to serve on their advisory council, I followed my usual process. First, I called my friend Robin Brogdon, who, after facilitating this advisory council for many years, gave a glowing review. Then I asked around and found several colleagues had been using Stokes for years for their own pets’ medications and consistently praised the company’s customer service.
So far, so good.
Then Stokes invited me for a tour of their facilities, Stokes Pharmacy (503A compounding pharmacy) and Epicur Pharma (503B FDA-registered outsourcing facility). What impressed me most was not just meeting executives and company leaders, but the entire team: the people handling quality control, customer service, and compounding. Every person I met was clearly dedicated to delivering accurate, high-quality medications in an immaculate environment.
And I mean immaculate.
I grew up in the food service industry, so I’m a stickler for cleanliness. I notice everything—floors, walls, ceilings—and everywhere I looked, this facility was spotless. I watched the biochemist performing quality control tests. I saw how the water was distilled. I observed the protocols to prevent contamination from dust, hair, and anything else that didn’t belong in a pill, injectable, or ointment.
This wasn’t just clean. It was exceptional.
Pictured: Areas of Epicur’s manufacturing facility. Employees fully gown & glove before entering.
Thanks to the FDA, the U.S. has some of the safest pharmaceuticals in the world. Major manufacturers like Zoetis and Merck must comply with the FDA’s rigorous standards. As a 503B facility, Epicur follows these same regulations – Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) – which go beyond standard USP requirements. cGMP ensures that every step of the manufacturing process is controlled, documented, and reproducible.
Epicur has invested in the equipment, training, testing, and quality control necessary to produce medications that are free of contaminants and accurately dosed – both critical to patient safety and effective treatment. Under cGMP, they are required not only to validate the entire manufacturing process but also to maintain continuous monitoring, environmental controls, and ongoing compliance audits to ensure consistent quality with every batch.
Quality over cost.
We owe it to our patients—and our clients—to choose the best partners, not just the cheapest ones. I’ve read too many horror stories about poorly compounded medications harming animals (and humans). At best, they’re less effective. At worst, they’re dangerous. And if something goes wrong, our reputation is on the line.
I don’t attach my name to just any company. If I make a referral, I want to feel proud of it.
After my research, conversations, and firsthand visit, I feel fully confident recommending Stokes Pharmacy and Epicur Pharma.
After all—I saw it with my own two eyes.
