Generic Cyclosporine

During Western States Veterinary Conference, 7 Veterinary Dermatologists met to discuss cyclosporine uses.
There was general agreement regarding generic alternatives to Atopica:
1. Generics lose 10-50% of the efficacy compared to Atopica.
2. The cheapest generic with good efficacy only saved the owner $15/month at 100mg daily dosing. (based on Feb. 2009 web research)
3. Several derms had their prescriptions changed by the pharmacist to less effective generics without the dermatologist's knowledge or consent.
4. The use of compounded cyclosporine is likely useless.
5. Using a nonFDA veterinary approved product is less than ideal and loses all drug surveillance and pharmacovigilance required by the approved product.