March 2010                  return to newsletter contents page

AVDA Member News

Novartis Animal Health

Novartis Animal Health is a leader in developing new and better ways to prevent and treat diseases in pets, farm animals and farmed fish. We focus our energy on developing new medicines that improve the quality of life for companion animals, as well as those that improve the health of livestock and farmed fish as we strive to support high-quality production and welfare.

Our pet products are effective aids in preventing internal and external parasites and treating such ailments as arthritic pain and kidney, heart and allergic diseases. For farm animals, we offer therapeutic products to treat parasitic and bacterial diseases and are consistently developing new vaccines to prevent diseases in livestock and farmed fish. Specific needs of food producers in the area of farm bioprotection are met by providing innovative fly control products and services, as well.

Novartis Animal Health US, Inc., is headquartered in Greensboro, NC, and has a Research and Development facility in Larchwood, IA. Globally, Novartis Animal Health employs 2,600 associates in 40 countries.

PCI Animal Health Named Distributor by Novartis, BI, and Abaxis

PCI Animal Health has been appointed as an authorized distributor for Novartis Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc, and Abaxis, Inc. “We are very proud to represent these well-respected and influential companies as an authorized distributor. This hard-earned achievement is an affirmation of our continuing growth in the field and our commitment to our customers.” said Robert Zeide, CEO. PCI’s relationship with the manufacturers will enhance their product offerings in three keys areas.“The Ethicon line of suture products from Novartis, BI’s biologicals and pain management medications, and the point of care blood chemistry products from Abaxis will certainly be welcomed by the 1,800 clinics we service throughout the Northeast,” said Zeide. New Jersey-based PCI Animal Health serves independent veterinarians with 6,000 products from leading manufacturers.

Sanofi-Aventis, Merck to Combine Animal Health Units

Sanofi-Aventis SA and Merck & Co. will combine their veterinary medicine units to create the world’s largest animal-health business, with combined sales of more than $5 billion and 14,000 employees. Paris-based Sanofi exercised an option to join its Merial business with Merck’s Intervet unit to create the venture, which will be equally owned. The option was part of an agreement last year when Whitehouse Station, New Jersey-based Merck sold half of Merial to Sanofi for $4 billion. Merial’s products include a bird-flu vaccine for poultry and Frontline, the best-selling flea spray for pets, while Intervet makes a device to vaccinate pigs without a needle and the Safe-Guard treatment to deworm dogs.

“We are looking for businesses that offer us more sustainable growth,” said Sanofi Chief Executive Officer Christopher A. Viehbacher in a conference call with reporters. “The animal-health business really fits well into that because you have underlying demographics that are really going to support this business without the same boom and bust cycle” seen with human medicines.

In Memoriam - Majon Huff, patriarch of Colorado Serum Co.

Colorado Serum Co. is saddened to report the passing of its patriarch, Majon Huff, on Jan. 11, 2010, at the age of 97. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, on Feb. 19, 1912, Huff was forced to drop out of college and assume ownership of Colorado Serum in 1933 when his father died unexpectedly. By continuing the company’s hog cholera antiserum production, Huff navigated Colorado Serum through the Great Depression while many other animal health manufacturers were closing their doors. Huff was instrumental in the formation of what would become the Animal Health Institute in 1941, which still today collectively represents the animal health industry and its constituents in Washington D.C.

Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) Seeks Donations

Every year, thousands of people around the world struggle to survive because they don't have the right knowledge, skills and resources to care for their animals. Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) veterinarians live and work alongside these people to encourage them and provide them with mentoring, support, and much needed veterinary expertise. CVM vets travel the world offering their services free of charge to underdeveloped countries.

CVM veterinarians Dr. Kelly Crowdis and Dr. Keith Flanagan are in Haiti, working closely with the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture in trying to build capacity in the local veterinary infrastructure. In the past several years, there have been 60 new Haitian veterinarians, trained in Cuba, that have returned to Haiti. CVM provides mentoring and practical skills development to these new vets, and are in need of a number of basic supplies. If your company can supply any of the following, please contact AVDA Member John N. Honeycutt, President, Vet Brands International, Inc., at (954) 392-8072 or jnh@vetbrands.com

Ongoing medicine needs:
Furacin onintment; Xylazine 50 ml bottles; Ketamine; Vitamin B complex 50 ml bottles; Oxytracycline 200 mg – 50 ml bottles; Syringes 1cc, 3 cc, 5 cc, 12 cc, 20 cc, 60 cc; Needles – 25, 20, 18 G; Dewormer – ivermectin type for all species; Frontline; Catheters; IV sets; Fluids; Umblical tape; Betadine; Alcohol; Nolvasan; Surgical Instrument wash; Hand scrub for surgery; Brushes for hand wash for surgery; Oral antibiotics – cephalxin, amoxi, baytril; Tapeworm meds.