Compounded medications are an essential tool in small animal practice—but they also present common points of confusion, risk, and variability in outcomes. This session provides a practical, approach to help veterinarians confidently prescribe, evaluate, and partner with compounding pharmacies while prioritizing patient safety and therapeutic success.
We will address the most frequent and challenging questions clinicians face in everyday practice—such as when compounded medications are appropriate compared to FDA-approved products, who is responsible for ensuring efficacy, and why pharmacists may fulfill prescriptions without clinical pushback. We will also explore the evolving regulatory landscape, including AMDUCA, FDA Guidance for Industry (GFI #256), and USP standards, and how these impact access to commonly used compounds in small animal medicine.
The session then builds from foundational clarity into how to critically assess and select high-quality compounding pharmacy partners by evaluating accreditation (e.g., PCAB), facility type (503A vs. 503B), and key quality indicators.
By the end of this session, small animal veterinarians will be equipped with actionable strategies to reduce therapeutic failures, improve client communication, and make safer, evidence-based decisions when prescribing compounded medications.
1. Apply a clinical decision framework to determine when FDA-approved products should be prioritized over compounded medications in small animal patients and describe how regulatory guidance influences this choice.
2. Evaluate and choose a high-quality compounding pharmacy partner by assessing facility designation (503A vs. 503B), accreditation (e.g., PCAB), and key quality assurance indicators relevant to veterinary practice.
3. Assess the likelihood of efficacy and safety of a compounded medication, including understanding the veterinarian’s responsibility in prescribing and evaluating compounded therapies.
Dr. Lauren Forsythe is an Assistant Professor at the University of Findlay College of Pharmacy. She is also a diplomat of the International College of Veterinary Pharmacists. Dr. Forsythe graduated from the University of Findlay, College of Pharmacy in 2015 and completed her veterinary pharmacy residency at Purdue’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She earned her MBA in 2024 from the University of Illinois. Following completion of her residency, Dr. Forsythe spent three years at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a Clinical Pharmacist followed by four years at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Service Head. In addition to her teaching position, Dr. Forsythe is a co-author of the book Drug Compounding for Veterinary Professionals and provides consulting services to veterinary practices through her company Foresight Pharma Solutions.
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