Our compounder provides lifesaving medicine...

11.08.2022

Iowa West Des Moines

“Our compounder provides lifesaving medicine...”

I am the owner of a 10-year-old rat terrier and chihuahua mix named Ozzy. Ozzy has suffered from seizures since he was a puppy. He is on a number of medications to control these episodes but still needs emergency medicine from time to time. At some point, we were prescribed liquid diazepam to be administered anally in case of seizure. In these cases, he also needs a dose of phenobarbital, which we had been given in pill form.
Initially, to administer this medication was a difficult process that required assembly and took precious time in Ozzy's most vulnerable moments, in addition to being a challenge to pack when traveling. The liquid diazepam had to be drawn into a syringe using a needle, then the needle needed to be replaced with a nozzle attached to a tube which then would be injected into Ozzy. All this while our beloved pet seized violently and painfully waiting for relief. The phenobarbital pill also represented a challenge, not only because it was bitter, but because Ozzy struggled to bite and swallow during seizures.
We discovered compounding after moving in 2015. Since then, they have supplied us with a chicken-flavored liquid suspension of phenobarbital, as well as diazepam suppositories. Thanks to these compounded medications, providing Ozzy emergency relief during his seizures is much faster and easier. The suppositories need no equipment to administer, and the phenobarbital can be administered without something to disguise the taste.
Having access to compounded medications has really given us peace of mind about treating Ozzy's seizures. We would ask our representatives to protect access to these services so that it continues to be possible to help our dog, who is very important to us, in a way that's easier for both him and us.

Hear their stories. Protect their own words. Protect their access to compounded medicines.

On this page, we can only touch on the data that demonstrates the importance of compounded medicines to the lives of millions of people in this country. While the decision to take this vital therapy from patients and physicians might be profitable for big pharmaceutical companies, it will be disastrous for the millions of patients that those same pharmaceutical companies cannot serve!

We encourage the appropriate committees in both the House and Senate to hold hearings on this critical issue.

Explore our interactive map that demonstrates the importance of compounded medicines to patients all across the country. Filter these first-hand accounts by state to see just how vital compounded medicines are.