Boehringer Ingelheim Gets Emergency Use Authorization for ivermectin to Protect Against Screwworm

 Boehringer Ingelheim, a global leader in animal health, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the use of IVOMEC® (ivermectin) 1% Injection for the prevention of infestations caused by New World screwworm (NWS) in cattle.

Under the EUA, IVOMEC (ivermectin) 1% Injection is authorized for the prevention of infestations caused by NWS (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) when administered within 24 hours of birth, at the time of castration, or at the appearance of a wound in cattle, except for female dairy cattle producing milk for human consumption and calves that will be processed for veal. Based on available scientific evidence, FDA determined that there is no adequate, approved, and available alternative to the product for the prevention of NWS in certain cattle at these critical intervention points.1 This is the first EUA for any over-the-counter drug for the prevention of infestations caused by NWS in cattle,1 providing timely access to a preventive tool should an NWS incursion occur in the United States.

“Protecting the health and well‑being of livestock is at the core of our mission,” said Steve Boren, Vice President, U.S. Livestock, Boehringer Ingelheim. “Emergency Use Authorization for IVOMEC® (ivermectin) 1% Injection provides cattle producers and veterinarians with an important preventive tool against New World screwworm. We appreciate the proactive approach of the FDA and USDA in response to this emerging animal health threat and remain dedicated to supporting veterinarians, producers, and government as we work together to protect cattle herds.”

NWS is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm‑blooded animals, causing serious tissue damage and potentially fatal infestations.2 Although NWS is not currently present in the United States, recent cases have been confirmed in livestock in northern Mexico, including in Tamaulipas, a border state adjacent to Texas.3 More information about NWS and the unified federal response is available at screwworm.gov.

https://www.global-agriculture.com/farming-agriculture/boehringer-ingelheim-secures-emergency-use-authorization-for-ivomec-ivermectin-1-injection-to-help-protect-cattle-against-new-world-screwworm/