U.S. Animal Drug Compounding Market - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2031 - By Product, Technology, Grade, Application, End-user, Country: (U.S.)
The animal drug compounding market is experiencing a substantial increase in demand, spurred by the unavailability of branded drugs with the desired active ingredients and the growing trend of pet humanization. Compounding pharmacies, which operate with licensed pharmacists or physicians, are stepping up to provide customized medication solutions for animals, effectively addressing a critical gap in veterinary care.
Addressing the Gap in Branded Drugs
Animal drug compounding has become indispensable for veterinarians, particularly when FDA-approved drugs are not available. For example, there is no FDA-approved medication for treating megacolon in cats. Cisapride, once the only safe and effective treatment for chronic constipation in cats, was removed from the U.S. market in 2000. In such cases, compounded cisapride remains the only viable option for effective pro-kinetic drug therapy.
Similarly, drugs containing bromides, which were removed from the U.S. market in the 1970s, are still prescribed by compounding pharmacies due to their safety and efficacy in treating idiopathic epilepsy in dogs. This underscores the essential role of animal drug compounding in providing necessary medical therapy when branded drugs are unavailable.
Filling Therapeutic Gaps with Unapproved FDA Drugs
The therapeutic needs in the animal medicine industry are extensive, yet the availability of FDA-approved drugs for all animal diseases and indications is limited. Animal drug compounding addresses this gap by offering customized solutions for various animal species. The demand for compounded animal drugs is significantly higher than for branded prescription drugs, highlighting the importance of this practice in veterinary care.
Enhancing Treatment Compliance with Flavored Medications
A notable trend in animal drug compounding is the availability of flavored medications. Flavored drugs improve treatment adherence among pets, making it easier for owners to administer necessary medications. For instance, metronidazole compounded with sardine or tuna-flavored suspension enhances palatability and compliance. Exotic animals, such as birds and sugar gliders, prefer sweet flavors like strawberry, banana, or tutti frutti. This innovation in flavoring is gaining significant attention from pet owners and veterinarians.
Informed Pet Owners Driving Demand
The increased humanization of pets, rising adoption rates, and the influx of medical information via the internet are driving the demand for animal drug compounding. According to the American Pet Products Association, U.S. families owned 70-80 million dogs and 74-96 million cats in 2015. Access to readily available information makes pet owners more knowledgeable and demanding, raising the bar for veterinary care and compounding services.
Despite the lack of reimbursement for animal drug compounding, pet owners are willing to bear out-of-pocket expenses. However, issues such as undesired potency levels, dissolution characteristics, and sub-standard dosage can deter the uptake of compounded drugs. Nonetheless, the animal drug compounding industry continues to see a steady increase in revenue generation.
Regulatory Compliance Boosts Consumer Confidence
Adherence to regulatory requirements and self-nomination for FDA inspections are crucial for the future of animal drug compounding. Compliance with cGMP guidelines enhances drug and brand value, boosting consumer confidence and uptake. Regulatory inspections ensure good manufacturing practices, further increasing the reliability of compounded drugs.
As of 2015, less than 3% of animal drug compounding pharmacies were accredited by the PCAB. Additionally, only 48 facilities in the U.S. are registered and authorized to engage in bulk API manufacturing. If the over 3,500 animal drug compounding pharmacies in the U.S. obtain FDA and PCAB certification, it could significantly impact customer uptake for these customized drugs.
Competitive Analysis
•Hoye's Pharmacy
•Vertisis Custom Pharmacy
•Smith Caldwell Drug Store
•Sixth Avenue Medical Pharmacy
•Dougherty's Pharmacy
•Triangle Compounding Pharmacy Inc.
•Medisca Inc.
•Wedgewood Pharmacy
•Millers Pharmacy
Key Market Segmentation
basis of type•CNS Agents
•Anti-Infective Agents
•Hormones and Substitutes
•Anti-inflammatory Agents
•Others
basis of animal type•Companion Animals
oDogs
oCats
oOthers
•Livestock Animals
basis of formulation•Oral
•Injectable
•Others
Region
•North America
•Latin America
•Europe
•South Asia
•East Asia
•Oceania
•Middle East and Africa (MEA)
Please note: Delivery Timelines - 5 working days.