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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for October 5, 2007
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Editor: Lynn Fondon, DVM, MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
other news
Bio-Medical Services
CVS Group
Digital Angel
Interkim
Intervet
Mars Veterinary
Midwest Veterinary Supply
Nutreco
Schering-Plough
VetCentric
Wedgewood Pharmacy
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Executive and Sales Force Recruiting Services
Since 1986 Brakke Consulting, Inc. has successfully assisted many clients in acquiring exceptional employees at all levels, in the many departments of animal health, pet, veterinary and specialty chemical companies. We pre-qualify candidates, allowing clients to choose from a few of the best applicants for a position. Our approach increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the Human Resources Departments of client companies. Visit with one of our recruiting specialists today to find out how we can help you hire the best candidates.
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
> Akzo Nobel reported an update on Schering-Plough’s offer for Organon BioSciences, including Intervet, for approximately EUR 11 billion ($15.5 billion) in cash. The consultation procedures with the relevant employee representative bodies have been completed and the related sale and purchase agreement has been signed. It is expected that the transaction will be completed no later than the end of 2007. (company website)
> Mars Veterinary announced the launch of the Wisdom Panel MX, a DNA-based mixed breed test for dogs. The test can detect more than 130 breeds that may be present in a mixed breed dog, covering 99% of American Kennel Club (AKC) registered dogs. The Wisdom Panel MX is offered exclusively through veterinarians. (PRNewswire)
> Wedgewood Pharmacy and Midwest Veterinary Supply, Inc. announced an agency agreement through which Midwest will represent Wedgewood’s compounding pharmacy services to 9,000 veterinary clinics in 27 states. (company press release)
> Bio-Medical Services (BMS) announced its new Feline Allergy Panel. The new panel from Bio-Medical Services combines the most prevalent pollen, mold, mite and indoor allergens. This includes house dust, jute, kapok, wool, tobacco, human dander and others. (Business Wire)
> VetCentric, Inc. announced the Oct. 24 launch of a next-generation online prescription writing tool. The new ePrescribing tool allows veterinary practices to write or renew prescriptions with a few keystrokes on their office computers. Technicians can write multiple scripts and place them in a queue for approval by a veterinarian; veterinarians can then approve the prescription in a single click. Approved prescriptions are transmitted electronically to VetCentric, where they are filled by nationally licensed pharmacists for shipment directly to pet owners on the clinic’s behalf. (company press release) p
> Digital Angel Corporation announced that it has received an order for 630,000 compliant radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags valued at more than $600,000 from the USDA for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The cattle ear tags will be used for USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)/Veterinary Services State-Federal Cooperative Disease control and eradication efforts in targeted, increased-risk geographic locations. (company website)
> Nutreco Holding NV said it will acquire a 51% stake in the animal nutrition activities of Turkish company Interkim. The company’s activities will be continued under a new joint venture called Trouw Nutrition Turkey. According to Nutreco, Interkim has annual sales of approximately EUR 13 million ($18 million) in feed ingredients, industrial premixes, young animal feeds and animal health products. Financial details were not disclosed. (Forbes)
> UK CVS Group, a UK provider of veterinary services, announced its successful placing to raise GBP 92.7 million ($188 million) for selling shareholders and its application for its Ordinary shares to be admitted to trading on AIM. Dealings are expected to commence on AIM on Oct. 10. The Group operates two divisions: the practice division composed of 45 small animal practices and one equine specialist practice (128 individual surgeries throughout the U.K.) and the diagnostic division made up of three veterinary diagnostic laboratories which provide services to CVS and to third parties. (CNNMoney)
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
> FRANCE – BLUETONGUE France is reportedly fighting an outbreak of bluetongue disease, with 2,246 cases reported as of Sept 28. France has set up protection zones in more than 40 departments, many of them in the northern part of the country. (AnimalNet – Reuters UK )
> US – ANIMAL HEALTH MBA The University of Kansas School of Business is launching a Master of Business Administration program with an emphasis in animal health. The first four students in the program, incoming doctorate-level scientists brought in by Bayer Animal Health, will start in January, taking advantage of a curriculum that will start with core MBA courses and then stretch into concentration offerings and electives tailored to life sciences and animal health issues. (Lawrence Journal-World)
> US – PET FOOD LEGISLATION Congress recently reauthorized the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) which includes a section requiring FDA to set ingredient definitions and processing standards for petfoods, modifying petfood labels and creating a food adulteration incident reporting system. The petfood-specific language requires FDA to work with the industry and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to set ingredient definitions, processing standards, and to update labeling requirements that include ingredient and nutritional information. The language of the measure refers specifically to petfood and human food, so it likely will not apply to livestock and poultry feeds. The new PDUFA law also requires FDA to set up an “early warning system” on petfood recalls within a year, but also creates a new “reportable food registry” where companies required to register with FDA under the Bioterrorism Act would have to report to FDA within 24 hours of their determination of an adulterated food product. (Pet Food Industry e-news)
> US – DAIRY INITIATIVE A producer-led coalition representing the dairy industry announced the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative, an effort to protect consumer trust and confidence in the dairy industry’s commitment to animal well-being. The coalition introduced the first draft of proposed principles and guidelines intended to provide a uniform umbrella of assurance that the industry is meeting its ethical obligation for dairy animal well-being. Throughout the next nine months, dairy producers will have an opportunity to review the draft principles and guidelines and provide input through their co-op or industry association. The coalition will incorporate industry feedback into the final principles and guidelines. The work of the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative has been endorsed by co-ops representing more than 25,236 farms and more than 104.1 billion pounds of milk marketed annually. For more information and to view the current draft principles and guidelines, go to www.dairywellbeing.org. (Feedstuffs)
> JAPAN – SUPER PREMIUM MILK Nakazawa Foods has launched a milk beverage that is touted to reduce stress. One quart of the super-premium milk will sell for about $43.00. The company claims that the milk contains three to four times more melatonin than other milk products. (Food Systems Insider)
> US – MASTITIS RESEARCH Scientists at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service are testing a plant-produced therapeutic protein (CD14) which appears to inhibit E. coli mastitis in dairy cows. Potentially, 50 plants could provide enough purified protein to treat a herd of 500 cows. (AnimalNet – Ag Professional)
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InnoVet 2007
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
October 14 – 17
The InnoVet 2007 program will focus on Emerging Bioactives and Biologics: Innovative Solutions for Animal Health, and includes 21 expert presenters in a variety of disciplines, including global regulatory issues, business trends in animal health and nutrition, evaluation of bioactive compounds and health product innovation for aquaculture.
For more information, visit www.innovet.ca
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
Several stories this week have an impact on improving the quality of services that veterinary practices offer their clients. A number of firms now offer home delivery or pharmacy services that allow the veterinarian to serve their clients with products in a convenient and efficient manner. We believe that this activity is in its infancy and is likely to expand even more as the logistics challenges are better understood and resolved.
The recently announced program at the KU School of Business that allows veterinarians to gain an MBA by working in companies and attending classes over a period of time is a new and innovative program. A number of business schools and veterinary colleges are now adding these types of programs to their curriculum. While it will take time for these programs to show results, it’s a big step in the right direction. The veterinary profession and animal health industry will be better served if more veterinarians understand general business practices.
Have a great weekend!!
Ron Brakke
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