Bova – where it all began
In 1968, Colin Bova embarked on a journey that would shape the landscape of pharmaceutical compounding in Australia. He opened a human pharmacy on a bustling high street in Sydney, laying the foundation for what would later become Bova Aus. Over the years, Colin dedicated himself to providing quality pharmaceutical services to the local community, earning a reputation for excellence and reliability.
In 2008, Colin’s son, Nick Bova, stepped into his parents’ footsteps, taking over the reins of the Sydney-based high street pharmacy. With a vision to expand and innovate, Nick set out to build upon his father’s legacy and usher Bova into a new era of growth and specialisation.
In 2010, recognising the growing demand for compounded formulations in veterinary medicine, Bova introduced a compounding service to cater to the unique needs of the local veterinary market. This marked a significant milestone in the company’s evolution, as it ventured into the realm of customised veterinary pharmaceutical solutions.
As the compounding service gained traction, Bova emerged as one of Australia’s few stand-alone compounding facilities, distinguished by its commitment to quality, innovation, research and development and customer satisfaction. Under Nick’s leadership, Bova continued to expand its capabilities, leveraging cutting-edge technology and expertise to meet the evolving needs of veterinary healthcare professionals and patients alike.
But Bova’s success story is not just about business acumen and innovation—it’s also a testament to family values and continuity. Nick’s brother, Stephen, plays a pivotal role in the business as the Financial Controller, bringing his expertise to ensure the company’s financial health and sustainability.
Despite Bova’s growth and success, Colin remains deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. His unwavering dedication to quality and attention to detail are evident as he meticulously checks every script before it is sent out, ensuring that Bova maintains the highest standards of excellence.
It is this longstanding history and intimate understanding of the specialised needs of the veterinary compounding facility that has earned Bova the trust and loyalty of veterinarians across Australia for over 50 years. Through decades of dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to quality, Bova has become a trusted partner in veterinary healthcare.
As Bova continues to thrive and evolve, it remains rooted in its founding principles of quality, integrity, excellence, and customer-centricity. With a strong legacy behind it and a bright future ahead, Bova is poised to continue shaping the future of pharmaceutical compounding in Australia for generations to come.
F.A.Q.
Compounding is a long-established tradition in pharmacy practice that enables practitioners to prescribe medications that are specifically prepared to meet a patient’s individual needs. This includes medications in strengths and forms that are not otherwise available.
Placing a prescription with Bova is usually done by the prescribing veterinarian. If the prescriber issues a repeat on the prescription, Bova can keep this on file and can be contacted when the repeat is required to be filled. A repeat will only be filled upon request.
Bova accepts Master Card, Visa, Direct Debit, and cheque’s in advance of shipment. Veterinarians may also contact Bova to set up an account.
Please refer to the ordering tab in the menu on the left hand side.
Yes. Faxing, emailing or placing an order online does not constitute an original prescription. A hard copy signed by the prescribing veterinarian must be received by Bova within seven days.
Expiry dates, also known as beyond use dates (BUD), are often short as the medication has been compounded. For specific expiry dates please contact the pharmacy.
Bova will always endeavour to dispense your customised medications as quickly as possible. Turnaround times will vary depending on the type of medication that has been requested. Our aim is to always fill a prescription within 48hrs once it has been approved by a pharmacist. Cytotoxic and sterile medications are compounded on specific days of the week and may take longer to arrive. We understand that some situations could be urgent, in these cases, please don’t hesitate to call us, and our friendly team will endeavour to get your order processed as soon as possible.
A veterinary compounding pharmacy in Australia is a specialised facility that creates customised medications for animals – to suit the pet patient or circumstance.
While there are many medications available for animals, they may not always be in the right dosage, form, or flavour for every patient. Veterinary compounding pharmacies bridge this gap by customising medications to meet the specific needs of individual animals.
Here’s what they typically do:
Customised Dosages: They can create medications in doses that are not commercially available or that are tailored to the size and condition of the animal.
Alternative Forms: Some animals may have difficulty taking pills or capsules, so compounding pharmacies can create medications in alternative forms such as liquids, gels, or transdermal creams.
Flavouring: Compounding pharmacies can add flavours to medications to make them more palatable for animals, which can be particularly useful for pets that are fussy . Additionally, our flavourings are synthetic (no animal proteins) and so beneficial for animals with allergies.
Allergy-Free Formulations: If an animal is allergic to certain ingredients in commercially available medications, a compounding pharmacy can create custom formulations without those allergens.
Combination Medications: They can combine multiple medications into a single dosage form, which can simplify administration for pet owners and improve compliance.
In essence, veterinary compounding pharmacies fill the gap between commercially available medications and the specific needs of individual animals, providing tailored solutions that can improve medication compliance and overall health outcomes for pets and other animals.
At Bova, we understand the importance of prompt service and reliable delivery.
In 2024, we committed to ship all Quality Assured formulations the next day.
If your QA product is not shipped the next day we will offer you a 10% discount off your next online QA .
Made-to-Order compounded formulations must be prepared as requested, by a dedicated laboratory technician following the prescription instructions. This process takes longer than our Quality Assured compounded products, which are tested in batches, allowing for quicker shipping with a premium guarantee.
Please note, chemotherapeutic agents may have a longer turnaround time due to our cyto schedule which is available here https://bova.vet/bova-aus/compounding-services-formulations/
You’ll receive tracking information to monitor your shipment’s progress.
At Bova, quality is at the heart of everything we do! As a proudly Australian and family-owned business, Bova is dedicated to enhancing animal health and well-being through meticulously developed medications of the utmost quality.
We understand that the effectiveness of compounded medications hinges on their quality. That’s why we adhere strictly to the highest standards, ensuring absolute confidence and peace of mind for our customers when utilising our range.
Bova’s commitment to quality is fortified by our rigorous Quality Assurance Program. This program is designed to meticulously assess the quality of our products, especially those that are popular, high-risk, or complex.
In developing this program, we consulted with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to ensure compliance with current regulations, while aligning our quality control methods with USP or BP pharmacopoeia standards. With Bova, veterinarians can trust that they are receiving the finest quality medications, enhancing clinical outcomes for their patients.
Quality is ingrained in five key areas at Bova:
Ingredients: We leverage our substantial purchasing power to procure veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from reputable Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) licensed facilities. All raw materials undergo rigorous testing upon arrival to verify their adherence to documented internal specifications.
Expert Staff: We prioritise the training and development of our staff, ensuring they are well-versed in our standard operating procedures (SOPs). Each staff member undergoes comprehensive testing to ensure consistent reproduction of dosage forms.
Quality Control: Our laboratories are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including sterile and cytotoxic suites. All lab equipment undergoes thorough validation to ensure its suitability for purpose, with regular NATA testing to maintain accuracy in calibration.
End Product Testing: Every Quality Assured product undergoes meticulous end product testing by highly skilled technicians before release. Each batch is tested for potency and other specific parameters to guarantee quality before dispensing.
Stability Assurance: Our Quality Assured products adhere to APVMA guidelines and undergo testing in accordance with the European Medicines Agency’s “Guideline on Stability.” These protocols establish the stability testing procedures for each of our QA products, ensuring global acceptance and reliability.
Compounding pharmacists play a pivotal role in tailoring medications to meet individual patient needs, often preparing customised formulations not readily available in commercial products.
Unlike commercial medicines which are registered under the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA), compounded medicines are exempt from testing against standards for safety and quality.
The quality and safety of a compounded medicine rests on a pharmacists interpretation of their “Duty of care”.
Pharmacists have the autonomy to interpret and apply these guidelines as they deem appropriate, which could result in discrepancies in practice and quality among various compounding pharmacies.
The absence of proactive regulatory oversight presents a significant challenge. Unlike other sectors within the healthcare industry, such as pharmaceutical manufacturing or retail pharmacy, compounding pharmacies operate without direct regulatory scrutiny.
This regulatory gap raises legitimate concerns about the consistency and reliability of compounded medications. In the absence of supervision, there’s minimal guarantee that pharmacists are complying with set guidelines or upholding the utmost standards of quality and safety.
Inconsistent practices among compounding pharmacies can compromise patient outcomes.
While it’s not mandatory in Australia, Bova Aus’s “Quality Assured” products adhere to APVMA regulations and undergo testing as per the “Guideline on Stability: Stability Testing of New Veterinary Drug Substances and Medicinal Products” by the European Medicines Agency. These standards are employed to determine the stability testing procedure for each of our QA items and are globally recognised.
We believe we are the gold standard in Australia for adhering to these standards.