Lifesaving Drug for FIP in Cats Finally Approved in Italy

A Breakthrough for Feline Medicine in Italy

After years of petitions, parliamentary questions, and public pressure from veterinarians and animal welfare groups, the Italian government has finally authorized the veterinary use of Remdesivir—the same antiviral drug used during the COVID-19 pandemic—for treating Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

This decision, announced by Undersecretary of Health Marcello Gemmato, is being hailed as a major victory by cat owners, animal rights organizations, and veterinary professionals alike. For years, they have pleaded for legal access to a drug already approved and in use in countries like the UK and the Netherlands.

What Is FIP and Why Is It So Dangerous?

FIP is caused by a mutation of a feline coronavirus and is one of the deadliest viral diseases affecting cats, particularly those in shelters or outdoor colonies. Once diagnosed, the condition typically leads to death in over 90% of cases without treatment.

The disease is particularly cruel—it can affect any cat but often spreads in environments with multiple animals. Until now, there was no officially authorized treatment in Italy, forcing desperate owners to turn to unregulated sources, pay exorbitant prices, or smuggle medication from abroad.

Remdesivir: A Human Drug Now Saving Cats

Originally developed and used for humans during the COVID-19 crisis, Remdesivir (commercial name Veklury) has shown high efficacy in treating FIP. Thanks to the newly signed circular by Undersecretary Gemmato, the drug can now be prescribed “in derogation” by licensed veterinarians under their direct responsibility.

“This was a promise made to millions of Italian families living with a cat,” said Gemmato. “It’s a concrete answer for those who have waited years for a solution to a disease that has taken too many lives.”

The new authorization bypasses the previous human-only restriction, a move made possible under existing EU legislation and well ahead of the EU regulation deadline set for August 2026.

A Win for Cats—and Their People

Animal welfare advocate and former minister Michela Vittoria Brambilla, who spearheaded the parliamentary campaign for this change, called the decision “a major achievement.” “Thousands of cats will be saved,” she said. “Until now, people were stuck in a heartbreaking paradox: knowing there was a cure, available abroad, but not legally accessible here.”

This situation even gave rise to a black market, with some profiteers selling unregulated versions of the drug online—often at outrageous prices, exploiting grieving pet owners.

With this new approval, Remdesivir can now be legally sourced through veterinary pharmacies and licensed distributors as outlined by Italy’s 2023 veterinary drug legislation.