Orange cat sitting by trees
Photo: Christina Weese.

Anti-viral drug for FIP now available at VMC pharmacy

Western Canadian veterinary clinics can now purchase the anti-viral drug used to treat cats diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) from the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre’s (VMC) pharmacy at a lower cost and without additional paperwork.

Until recently, the VMC was accessing 50-milligram (mg) tablets of GS-441524, the anti-viral medication, from the United Kingdom at a cost of $30 per tablet. The VMC pharmacy can now produce its own capsules in house at a much more affordable cost of $5 per 50-mg capsule or $2.50 per 25-mg capsule.

Any external veterinary clinic can now purchase the GS-441524 capsules or submit a prescription to the VMC pharmacy without completing a request form through Canada’s Emergency Drug Release (EDR) program of the Veterinary Drugs Directorate.

GS-441524 has shown an efficacy rate of over 80 per cent in treating cats diagnosed with FIP. But until recently, it was only available through the black market online. Its availability changed in February 2024 when Canadian veterinarians gained legal access to the anti-viral medication.

For more information, contact the VMC pharmacy (306-966-7120).