Feline infectious peritonitis – currently no approved treatment option available New
Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP for short, is an infectious disease caused by the feline coronavirus and affects exclusively cats.1 The disease occurs worldwide, is incurable with currently approved veterinary drugs, and is usually fatal. Treatment can only alleviate symptoms. The feline coronavirus is transmitted primarily through feces and body fluids, such as saliva; transmission is facilitated by keeping large numbers of animals in close quarters (animal shelters, cattery, etc.).
The active ingredient GS-441524 is currently being tested in initial studies for its effectiveness in treating FIP. However, no veterinary medicinal product containing this active ingredient is currently approved in the EU. Various, mostly Asian, websites offer GS-441524 by mail order. However, the sources or manufacturers of these active ingredients are generally unknown. Consequently, the quality and safety of the products cannot be guaranteed. Furthermore, the shipping of magistral preparations containing the active ingredient GS-441524 manufactured by pharmacies is not permitted within or to Austrian territory. According to the Austrian Veterinary Medicinal Products Act (TAMG), only approved or registered, non-prescription veterinary medicinal products may be sold by mail order.
In this context, the Federal Office for Safety in Healthcare (BASG) points out that the purchase of unapproved (veterinary) medicinal products or active pharmaceutical ingredients from abroad is inadmissible under the applicable legal provisions. According to the Austrian Pharmaceutical Import Act (AWEG 2010), such goods will either be returned to the sender after being seized by customs or, if this is not possible, destroyed. The resulting costs for return shipment or destruction, as well as the risk for penalties, are borne by the purchaser.
Reference: 1 Tasker S., et al., Feline Infectious Peritonitis: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases Guidelines, Viruses 2023, 15, 1847
