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last mo.

Italy Approves Early Use of Remdesivir to Treat Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Under new health ministry rules veterinarians can now prescribe the Covid-19 antiviral off-label to combat a feline peritonitis that kills as many as 96 percent of infected cats.

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Overview

  • The government directive signed June 6 by Undersecretary Marcello Gemmato authorizes veterinarians to use Veklury (Remdesivir) for feline infectious peritonitis under a derogation provision.
  • The measure fast-tracks EU regulation (UE) 2024/1973 by more than a year, enabling immediate veterinary application instead of the scheduled August 2026 start date.
  • EU Regulation 2019/6 Article 112 allows off-label use of human medicines in exceptional veterinary cases when no approved alternatives exist.
  • Feline infectious peritonitis is a highly lethal viral disease with mortality rates up to 96 percent and previously had no sanctioned veterinary treatment.
  • Animal welfare associations and veterinary bodies lobbied for the drug and supply will be distributed through veterinary wholesalers and pharmacies.