November 4, 2010

US FDA approves Intervet/Schering-Plough's Nuflor Type B medicated feed

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Nuflor (florfenicol), an antibiotic Type B medicated feed for swine, said Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

In the US, a Type B Medicated Feed for Swine is a premix that can be mixed in all feed mills, including those found on-farm to produce a Medicated Type C Feed.

Previously, the only premix formulation of florfenicol available was the Type A Medicated Article which could only be blended at a licensed feed mill.

The antibiotic Nuflor (florfenicol) is the only feed-grade antimicrobial labelled for control of Streptococcus suis, one of the most common and devastating diseases affecting nursery pigs. Nuflor also controls Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

The Type B Medicated Feed for Swine option allows producers to mix their own batches of Nuflor Medicated Type C Medicated Feed.

"Having more flexibility for feedmills means more flexibility in batch sizes," said Robyn Fleck, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health swine technical services manager. "Greater flexibility for feedmills also means Nuflor Medicated Type C Feed can be delivered to the farm as quickly as needed."

The ability to mix Nuflor Type B Medicated Feed for Swine on the farm will save producers toll-milling expenses. In addition, more feed mills will be able to offer their customers the option of Nuflor, thereby improving their ability to provide value for pork producers.