Merck Halts Zilmax Sales in US, Canada

WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJMerck Animal Health has announced its suspension of Zilmax sales in the U.S. and Canada till further notice after animals at Tyson Foods showed signs of immobility.

After the incident, Tyson decided to ban animals fed with the weight-gaining, FDA-approved drug.

We remain confident in the safety of the product, based on our own extensive research and that of regulators and academic institutions, and are committed to the well-being of the animals that receive it," says KJ Varma, BVSc, Ph.D., diplomate ACVCP, senior vice president global R&D, Merck Animal Health. This important step demonstrates our commitment to providing our industry partners with data that will reaffirm confidence in Zilmax. We sincerely regret that this situation creates business challenges for our customers but it is critical to ensure that this process is conducted appropriately and with rigorous scientific measures."

The company will conduct an audit, which will monitor the process of feeding of Zilmax, and will follow identified cattle from the feedyard to the packing plant to determine the potential causes of mobility issues.

Although Canada has not seen any side effects from Zilmax, it is communicating with the drug makers to stay fully informed and collaborating with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Were in constant links with Health Canada," Merck spokeswoman Ani Armenian said in an interview.

The safety audit that is being run by Merck is taking into account mostly U.S.-based organizations or people, but there might be the possibility that Canada might be involved."

Merck will share results publicly after audit completion.