Chapter 1 - Utilization of biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic principles in the development of veterinary controlled release drug delivery systems

Abstract

In veterinary medicine, the patient populations encapsulate a wide range of species, body sizes, and drug absorption barriers, and therapies generally require long-acting agents that are administered infrequently. The utilization of biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic principles in the development of veterinary controlled release drug delivery systems is essential for a rationally designed product. The development of veterinary controlled release drug delivery systems requires the collaboration of several departments of an innovative pharmaceutical company. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic principles that are essential in meeting the challenges facing innovative producers of veterinary controlled release products. It focuses on two major veterinary markets: livestock, including cattle, swine, sheep, and poultry; and companion animals, including cats, dogs, and horses. The general principles that are applied to pharmaceuticals for these major markets can be applied to pharmaceuticals for other markets.