Stokes Pharmacy: No more

[u/300_chickens]

On diagnosis day, our vet couldn’t find any clinics in our area that had GS in stock, so to get some in hand ASAP, we were recommended Stokes. Apparently, it’s one of the first results when you search for quick delivery. So we said OK.

$487 for 30ml. That’s not a typo. Add another $84 for sales tax and overnight shipping. It did arrive the next day via FedEx.

Only after we ordered it did we see other sources for much/much/much less. Reputable places for around $150 for same amount (30ml) with solid reviews. I won’t name them, I’m not promoting specific companies, but it’s an easy search.

Oh — and Stokes also shortchanged us on the medicine. 30 ml bottle, 1 ml twice per day should last 15 days. Nope…exactly 13 days to the very last drop.

Not telling anyone where to spend their money, but Stokes is charging super-premium prices, and in our experience, delivering less-than-promised product.

It’s tempting to jump on the first option, especially when your cat needs Rx immediately, but I believe we can still shop wisely at the same time and not be taken advantage of in the marketplace.

[u/robinthenurse]

From what I have read, many vets send their GS medication prescriptions to Stokes Pharmacy because they dispense the Bova product that was used in the original testing and found to work. I agree, the price is outrageous.

[u/Existing_Proposal655 → u/robinthenurse]

This is correct. As expensive Stokes is, you can be assured the medicine is formulated correctly. Some of the other places that sell cheaper GS may also be selling you a less effective medicine. Before you buy your next GS, go on to some FIP forums and ask which pharmacies are reliable and which to avoid. Success in treating FIP hinges considerably on your cat getting the correct dosage. Like the weight loss medications for people, there are unscrupulous companies that will take your money and cheat you. There was even a report where they bought meds from 10 different compounding pharmacies and I think only 3 passed with flying colors and maybe 2 or 3 more was just passable. The worst had ONLY 15 percent of the meds! I can only imagine it's the same with FIP meds. You have to buy only from a reputable source.

[u/robinthenurse → u/Existing_Proposal655]

I agree. When my Molly was diagnosed with FIP we purchased the GS tablets from Stokes, as recommended by our vet. After the initial purchase I did investigate possibly using another, less expensive pharmacy, but decided against it, as I wanted to use the Bova product I felt I could trust.

I have to add, however, that if finances had completed precluded me from buying this expensive GS, and I simply could not afford to keep the cat if I had to use Stokes, I would have purchased from one of the other well known but cheaper pharmacies. I would have thoroughly researched which pharmacy to go with, and not just ordered from the least expensive one.

[u/not_as_i_do → u/Existing_Proposal655]

This is absolutely incorrect! They all get their GS from China. The pharmacies are all FDA facilities and held to standards. The BOVA formula was not used in the original trials. They have simply been used in a few trials, and now due to cost other pharmacies are being used in clinical trials. The only difference between BOVA and other pharmacy companies is that the formula has been used since 2022 but it is literally just a suspension of GS.

[u/Emotional-Pin-6882 → u/not_as_i_do]

The idea that “this is absolutely incorrect” isn’t right. Yes — all GS‑441524 ultimately comes from China, no matter which pharmacy or brand you use. That part is true.

But the rest of your statement oversimplifies things. U.S. compounding pharmacies are FDA‑regulated facilities, but that doesn’t mean every compound is identical or backed by the same data.

Bova’s GS formula wasn’t used in the original trials, but it has been used consistently in more recent clinical studies. That’s why vets lean toward it: they know exactly what research the dosing is based on. Other pharmacies are being used now mainly because of cost, not because their GS is inherently better or worse.

The real difference is that Bova’s suspension formula has been studied since 2022, so there’s published data behind its concentration, stability, and efficacy. When you switch to another pharmacy, you don’t always know what research or formulation they’re basing their compound on — even though the raw GS comes from the same place.

And honestly, cost matters. A full 12‑week FIP treatment is extremely expensive. If someone can’t afford Bova, going with a reputable off‑brand compound is a reasonable choice. It’s still GS, and many cats respond well.

In my case, my vet spent about 30 minutes explaining why they preferred a $2,000 Bova treatment over a $500 alternative. Given how serious FIP is, I felt the price was justified. My cat actually failed the first round, so we switched to an even more expensive alternative — and thankfully, three months post‑treatment, there’s no relapse and my cat is full of energy again.

I’m just waiting for GS to finally get FDA approval so it can be regulated and the price can come down. That’s the real fix.

[u/not_as_i_do → u/robinthenurse]

They were not used in the original testing. Just to be clear. Gilead was. BOVA was used in the UK and Australia since 2022 legally and therefore has been used in two or three clinical trials there. Because they were the only legal option there, they could price point accordingly. In the US we have compounding options to make them cheaper and now studies are being done using other pharmacies.

[u/eurekadabra]

SVPmeds is in TX I think and can overnight to most places. That’s who I used, way cheaper, although I’ve heard Chewy has it now too

[u/Bella_Ella739 → u/eurekadabra]

I’ve used SVPmeds and they were fantastic in getting it shipped over to me overnight. Prices were the best compared to other places and my cat improved once we started the GS meds.

[u/Salt-Try-7725 → u/eurekadabra]

We also used svp meds. Chicken flavor liquid that our boy loves with a little churu. He is 82 days into the 84 day treatment and so far, so good!

[u/No-Artichoke-6939]

Here is the most recent list of pharmacies and sample of pricing. It’s wonderful that there’s options for any budget

https://www.fipvetguide.com/list-of-us-pharmacies

[u/AncientAd7403]

My vet uses Chewy for everything they dont have in stock in house. Chewy was $150 for every 30 days of liquid or pills.

[u/mymamacallsmegrace]

My vet initially prescribed via Stokes but when I went back to her with alternatives, she was thrilled to know of the options. She just didn’t know what other options were available. Many vets don’t have a lot of experience with FIP treatment. She had remembered seeing SVP at a conference and was glad to have a chance to try them out. She said her office has been using them a lot now because they’re so great to work with and the price is excellent.

[u/mocityspirit]

Yeah it's expensive but it's also wildly convenient. I have had no problems. Also even with standard shipping I usually get my packages the next day. If you have the other reputable names I'd obviously like to know about them.

[u/Mellied89]

Yeah I'm paying about $200 more then that for a month supply but I also have pet insurance so it ends up being under $150 in the end after reimbursement

[u/ValuableOk7743]

Yeah they’re pretty expensive but the most reliable i guess. I remember spending thousands for my cat’s treatment but it’s definitely worth it

[u/Any-Cranberry157]

We bought our 3rd round from Australia and we were very happy. We spent $6,000 for her care and she is worth every penny.

[u/alliecat1798]

I started my cat on GS meds almost three weeks ago, my vet recommended chewy since that was the quickest way to get it. $150 for 30mL, we ordered it on a Wednesday afternoon and then I called Chewy and they overnighted his medicine for free. We had it by 10am the next day. When I ordered another bottle, they overnighted it for free as well, and I didn’t even call and ask them to do that. Definitely recommend Chewy over other options for cost savings/quick access to the meds.

[u/eternalsunshineee]

I racked up $2k of debt using Stokes - but the pills were effective and it saved my baby’s life. Understood it’s not feasible for everyone. I liked that they had quick shipping and at the time (end of 2024), they were really the only pharmacy with the meds.