Antivenom For Private Keepers
A guide on how to stock your own exotic antivenom
The Asclepius Snakebite Foundation (ASF) supports responsible private keepers of venomous reptiles, recognizing the valuable contributions the private herpetoculture industry makes to conservation, education, and science. For these keepers, safety revolves around two major components: prevention and an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Preventing an envenomation emergency is critical and involves safe handling practices, secure enclosures, and using appropriate tools. An EAP, tailored to each keeper or facility, depends heavily on the species involved. Access to antivenom is crucial, as it’s the only means to neutralize venom and control symptoms.
For native species, access to antivenom typically involves calling the local hospital’s pharmacy to determine if they stock Anavip or Crofab, the two FDA-approved antivenoms for North American pit vipers. For non-native species, however, antivenom is not available in U.S. hospitals; the most reliable way to ensure access to antivenom is for private facilities and individuals to stock their own.
Stocking non-native antivenom in the U.S. requires two permits: one from the FDA and another from the USDA. Historically, obtaining these permits has been challenging, often taking years to navigate the bureaucratic red tape. To address this, ASF team members Zoe and Jackson established the Antivenom Support Group (ASG). After taking two years to secure their own permits, they created step-by-step guides to simplify the process. These guides are free to the public and available on the ASG Facebook page. Now, members are obtaining permits in as little as two weeks.
The first required permit is the FDA’s BB-IND#, which allows possession of a drug not approved by the FDA, typically for research. Though free, this permit is more complex to apply for. The process includes filling out the FDA 1571 form, having a physician sign off as the “investigator” on the FDA 1572, and submitting additional documents such as an introductory statement and synopsis statement. After submission, the FDA may issue one or more Information Requests (IRs) for clarification or additional information. Once satisfied, they will send an email stating that “Your study can proceed.”
The second permit, the USDA APHIS Import Permit VS 16-3, enables the import of non-native antivenom from international manufacturers. This permit costs $150 and can now be completed in about 30 minutes following the ASG guide. Applications are submitted online through the APHIS eFile system.
Securing permits is just the first step. With permits in hand, the next step is contacting manufacturers to place an order. For some, like Thai Red Cross, the process is straightforward and affordable—10 vials of TRC polyvalent antivenom cost $800. However, other manufacturers may have minimum order requirements, sometimes requiring enough antivenom for multiple envenomations. Group orders are the second function of the Antivenom Support Group. To make these purchases more manageable, the ASG organizes group orders, allowing members to reduce costs, share shipping expenses, and streamline the ordering process.
If you work with or keep non-native venomous snakes, ensuring access to the appropriate antivenom could be life-saving. Join the Antivenom Support Group and take advantage of this valuable resource. The mission statement of the Asclepius Snakebite Foundation is to improve outcomes for snakebite victims through a combination of innovative research, clinical medicine, and education-based public health initiatives. The ASG began as a public health, safety, and education initiative, and has grown into so much more. If you find the ASG guides helpful, consider donating to the Asclepius Snakebite Foundation, as the ASF professionals have been vital in ensuring medical information in the ASG is correct and up to date; donations directly support efforts to save lives of snakebite victims around the globe.