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Navigating Recent Service Challenges

Recent regulatory changes may be affecting your prescriptions - we're here to help.

As your trusted partner in veterinary compounding, we want to ensure that you're well-informed about the revisions to USP standards and the impact they may have on the medication you receive. 
 
Due to these changes, we are temporarily experiencing higher than usual call volumes and extended processing times for some custom compounded medication. Our commitment to providing exceptional service has not changed, but the recent implementation of new regulatory standards has significantly increased call volumes. We appreciate your patience as we all adapt to the new USP standards.
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What do the new USP standards mean for animal owners?

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Shortened Beyond-Use Dates (BUDs) for prescriptions.

•  You may need to order more frequently.

•  You may need to order smaller quantities at a time.

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Change in package sizes and prescription costs.

•  Although the quantities are smaller, our production costs, including labor and equipment, have increased.

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Longer processing times.

•   We are temporarily experiencing extended processing times due to increased demand for many medications.

•   Follow the tips for staying ahead to ensure your pets' needs are met.

 

Tips for Staying Ahead

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Manage your prescriptions at Wedgewood.pet.

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Consider the expected processing time when choosing your shipping method.

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Consider enrolling in AutoRefill when possible.

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Find answers to your questions here. 

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Visit Wedgewood.com to access live chat support.

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Changes and their impact

The revised USP chapters introduce changes to compounded medication BUDs. This may necessitate more frequent ordering for uninterrupted treatment.

<795> - Nonsterile Preparations: Changes include shortened BUDs.

<797> - Sterile Preparations: Changes include mandated stability testing to determine BUDs.

Nonsterile medication BUD changes: USP <795>
Sterile medication BUD changes: USP <797>
Examples of affected medications
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What's next?

Rest assured that we are here to help you navigate these changes. We have always followed USP standards, and we are well-equipped to comply.

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FAQs:
Why is my medication delayed?

We understand how important timely medication is for your pet's health. Due to recent regulatory changes, we are experiencing extended processing times due to increased demand for many medications. Rest assured, we are working diligently to minimize delays. Our pharmacy team encourages you to enroll in AutoRefill. Orders placed through AutoRefill are designed to arrive just in time and also qualify for free shipping! Our commitment to the quality of your pet's medication remains our top priority. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to fulfill your orders as quickly as possible.

Why are Wedgewood's hold times so long?

We recognize that longer hold times can be frustrating, and we apologize for any inconvenience. The recent implementation of new regulatory standards has significantly increased our call volumes, as many pet owners seek clarification and assistance. We are actively working to improve this by expanding our team and enhancing our service processes. For quicker assistance, we encourage you to use our MyWedgewoodPet.com. Here, you can manage prescriptions, place orders, and find helpful information, all without the wait. Thank you for your understanding and continued trust in us to care for your pet's health needs.

Why am I paying the same price, or almost the same price, for a smaller amount of medication?

We understand your concerns regarding the changes in medication pricing and bottle sizes. These adjustments are a result of adapting to the updated standards set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a key organization in setting medication quality standards. These new standards, which went into effect on November 1, 2023, impact how long compounded medications can be stored, among other things. Although the quantities are smaller, our production costs, including labor and equipment, have increased. Rest assured, our focus remains on providing high-quality medication for your pets in quantities that align with the new standards. Read more about the recent updates to the USP standards here.

What are Beyond-Use Dates (BUDs)?

State-regulated compounding pharmacies must adhere to Beyond-Use Dates (BUDs). Beyond-Use Dates are assigned to compounded medications to indicate the date after which the medication should not be used, as determined by the pharmacy's stability testing or other considerations.

Why has the shelf life, or Beyond-Use Date (BUD), of my medication changed?

On November 1, 2023, the shelf life, or BUD, of many compounded medications changed due to updates from United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a key organization in setting medication quality standards. Wedgewood has always met or exceeded USP standards, and we have been preparing and planning for these changes for the last several years to ensure continued access to the compounded medications your pet needs. In order to comply with the USP changes, we performed additional testing and invested in facility upgrades in order to assign the longest BUDs possible under the new standards. Although this may mean more frequent refills and smaller package sizes, our commitment is to continue offering top-quality medications with the longest possible BUDs for your pet.

Can I continue to use medication from a previous order with a longer shelf life or Beyond-Use Date (BUD)?

At Wedgewood, we consistently meet or exceed these USP standards. It's important to understand that the BUD on the medication's label indicates the latest date the medication should be used. You can continue to use your medication up to this date. After the BUD, it should be discarded. This approach ensures that you are using the medication within the timeframe for which we have thoroughly tested and validated its quality.

What is USP and why does it exist?
USP is an independent, scientific nonprofit organization focused on building trust in the supply of safe, quality medicines. USP exists to ensure that compounded medications produced at pharmacies meet the highest quality practice standards. USP standards on their own are not regulations, but nearly every state has incorporated the standards into their state pharmacy regulations.
What is the difference between expiration dates and BUDs?
Both types of dates serve to inform healthcare providers and patients about the duration of a medication's usability and play essential roles in ensuring medication quality. BUDs are the date or time after which a compounded preparation may not be stored or transported and is calculated from the date or time of compounding. Expiration date is a manufacturer-defined term based on very specific testing used for commercially available products. 
Why is USP changing the BUDs of medications I have been using without incident for years?
USP chapters <795> and <797> were revised to update the standards for compounding non-sterile and sterile medicines based on the latest scientific evidence and stakeholder input. The goal is to protect patients and personnel, ensure high-quality compounding preparations, and promote patient safety. For more information, visit US Pharmacopeia (USP).

Get In Touch

We'd love to hear your questions and feedback. Please reach out to us at contactus@wedgewoodpharmacy.com.