Arizona Board of Pharmacy update to Diamondback Inspection where possible misbrading or alteration of drug/ one sample sub-potent and certificate analysis for wrong drug is to issue an advisory letter to Diamondback Drug "encouraging them to purchase high quality compenents from reputable places and to validate the chemcials that they purchase."

Agenda Item 17 – Diamondback Drug Follow-Up Inspection

President Van Hassel asked Mr. Haiber and Mr. Waggoner to address this agenda item.

Mr. Haiber stated at the last Board Meeting the Board asked them to do a follow-up inspection.

Mr. Haiber stated that there was a possible misbranding or alteration of a drug. Mr. Haiber stated that they observed that one sample was sub-potent but was not contaminated.

Mr. Haiber stated that they have fixed issues found on the first inspection.

Mr. Van Hassel asked if there have been significant improvements. Mr. Waggoner stated that they are making the improvements suggested in the first inspection.

Dr. Musil asked about the Sodium Sulfate. Mr. Waggoner stated that the certificate analysis was for the wrong drug.

On motion by Dr. Musil and seconded by Mr. Francis, the Board unanimously agreed to



issue an advisory letter to Diamondback Drug encouraging them to purchase high quality components from reputable places and to validate the chemicals that they purchase.

quoted from here 

Interesting Fact: Diamondback Drugs co-founder Michael Blaire sits on Board of Directors of Proposed Global On-Line Business Bank

Here is Michael Blaire's bio from the Proposed Global On-Line Business Bank:

Michael Blaire

Owner, Diamondback Drugs

Before adopting Arizona as his home state in 1992, Michael Blaire founded and served as head pharmacist for three pharmacies in New York. From 1993 to 1999, he spearheaded operations and profitability initiatives for several Walgreens pharmacy locations throughout the Phoenix area. In 2001, Michael moved on to co-foundDiamondback Drugs, a veterinary compounding pharmacy that serves a number of well known zoos, aquariums and veterinarians nationwide.

Michael’s extensive experience in health care and small business eventually segued into a profound interest and involvement in politics. He is a founding member of the Arizona Chapter of the Republican Jewish Coalition and serves as a Republican Precinct Committeeman and State Committeeman for Legislative District 8.  In 2010, Michael ran for the Arizona State House of Representatives and received endorsements from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Arizona Republic.

Michael has been Chairman of the Arizona Pharmacy Alliance Political Action Committee, and Treasurer of COMP-PAC, political action committee for the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP).   He is a Leadership Council Member for the National Federation of Independent Businesses and serves on the Advisory Board for Pima Medical Institute.   Michael is currently President of Temple Kol Ami in Scottsdale and Treasurer for IACP.

Originally from New York, Michael’s academic background spans a wide range of professional interests. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature at the University of Rochester (Rochester, New York). He also holds a BS in Pharmacy from St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions and completed graduate studies in literature at Arizona State University.

Michael and his wife Dorothy, live in Scottsdale. They have four daughters.

Arizona State University, MA, English. Saint John’s University, BSPh, Pharmacy. University of Rochester, 1976 – 1980.

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Veterinarians and Compounders Beware!!! Why Are More Cases Like These Recent Ones of Patent Infringement Not Filed By Manufacturers Against Compounders Who Are Violating the Law? Pegasus Laboratories Inc. v Diamondback Drugs LLC and Weatherford Compounding Company

July 11, 2013
by Sue Tuck Richmond

The drug developer and manufacturer Pegasus Laboratories Inc. filed several lawsuits in the federal district court of Kansas on July 10, 2013, against compounding pharmacies that tailor-makes veterinary medicines.  These complaint allege  that the compounding pharmacy are infringing patents for a drug to treat a nervous-system disorder-- equine protozoal myeloencephalitis or EPM-in horses.  The compounded medication product for treatment of EPM is compounded from bulk active sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine ingredients. 

Prior to the filing the federal lawsuit, Pegasus notified the compounding pharmacies of the three patents Pegasus held for its equine drug ReBalance and warned the companies to stop infringing. The compounding pharmacies allegedly wrote back denying that they produced custom-made versions of the patented formula.  Pegasus is asking for a jury trial.

These cases will be very interesting to track, especially in light of the pending legislation and reform being undertaken in the compounding world.  These case represent just a small sampling of the many issues involved on the veterinary compounding side of the equation. Should manufacturers be left with no choice but to file federal lawsuits?  Should state pharmacy boards and veterinary boards work together to combat this problem?  Should inspections be done of veterinary clinics to see how many compounds sitting on the shelf are illegal?  Aren't people with specialized knowledge of veterinary medications and compounds greatly needed to help Congress, state boards of pharmacy, state veterinary boards, and the FDA to understand this area, formulate a plan, and rein in all the abuses in this area?

Diamondback Drugs, LLC, Case No. 2:13-cv-02334, the Hon.  Eric F. Melgren can be viewed here
Weatherford Compounding Pharmacy,  Case No. 2:13-cv-02333-CM-KGS, the Hon. Carlos Murguia presiding,  can be viewed here