Merial closer to restoring full supply of Immiticide

Merial has found an alternative source for the active ingredient in Immiticide, a treatment for canine heartworm disease, in a step toward returning to a full supply of the product.

Immiticide is in short supply because the active ingredient, melarsomine dihydrochloride, is no longer available from the only U.S. source of the compound (see JAVMA, Feb. 1, 2010). Merial is seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration to obtain melarsomine dihydrochloride from a manufacturer that already produces the compound for the European and international markets.

In the meantime, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine is allowing Merial to distribute Immiticide containing melarsomine dihydrochloride from the alternative manufacturer directly to veterinarians with an immediate need to treat a dog with heartworm disease. Veterinarians who wish to purchase the product can call Merial Technical Solutions at (888) 637-4251, option 1.