Novartis Animal Health resumed U.S. shipments of veterinary drugs manufactured at its Lincoln, Neb., plant, the company reported today. When production at the plant will resume remains uncertain. The amount available for shipment varies by brand, from several weeks of supply to several months. The inventory is being closely managed, said Joseph Burkett, global head of communications for Novartis Animal Health. Novartis stopped production at the Lincoln plant Jan. 5 after recalling several human over-the-counter drugs manufactured at the plant. The recall was issued because of reports of broken and wrong pills showing up in drug bottles. Novartis did not recall any animal drugs manufactured in Lincoln but halted production plant-wide, affecting the supply of U.S. brands such as Interceptor Flavor Tabs, Sentinel Flavor Tabs, Clomicalm, Program Tablets and Suspension, and Milbemite. Affected Canadian brands included Interceptor, Sentinel and Program Tablets. The company also issued a “Dear Doctor” letter warning of a possibility that foreign or broken tablets could appear in bottles of Clomicalm because it is packaged on the same line as the affected human products. Returning to normal production of veterinary products at the Lincoln plant is a top priority for Novartis, Burkett said. <HOME>
