The United States is home to four families of poisonous snakes: rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, copperheads, and coral snakes. CroFab, initially approved by the FDA in 2000, was the only available anti-venom in the United States for treatment of snake bites (i.e. rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths). Anavip was introduced to the market after initial approval by the FDA in 2015 for the treatment of rattlesnake envenomation. However, with its recent label expansion (April 2021) to include all North American pit vipers, Anavip and Crofab are both considered viable and relatively equal in the treatment of rattlesnake, copperhead, and cottonmouth envenomations. 

HealthTrust has awarded Rare Disease Therapeutics’ Anavip a sole award for the class of snake anti-venom. Crofab’s contract will expire on 8/31/21.  The two products have completely different dosing regimens but have shown similar efficacy in treating snake bites. The contract package does include a replacement/expiration provision. For those who utilize consignment for this category, work with your consignment provider to exchange products. The potential savings impact for this contract change for CHC facilities is estimated to be ~$410K annually. All facilities purchasing a snake anti-venom product should take action to convert to Anavip.