2024 veterinary news in review: #18

The dvm360 editorial team is counting down our Top 20 news stories and articles of the year, from January 1, 2024, to November 15, 2024. Rank was determined by measurable audience interest and engagement.

A spotlight is shining on 1 article each day through New Year’s Eve, when the No. 1 dvm360 story of the year will be shared. The following article is No. 18 on this list:

Animal health company sentenced for drug misbranding

written by Caitlin McCafferty, Editor

Originally published May 10, 2024

Photo: heliopix/stock.adobe.com

Covetrus North America LCC pleaded guilty to causing the introduction and delivery of veterinary prescription drugs that were misbranded into interstate commerce and has been sentenced to 1 year probation by a federal court in Abingdon, Virginia. As part of the agreement, Covetrus—based in Portland, Maine—must also pay more than $23 million in criminal forfeitures and fines.¹

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia takes the distribution of misbranded prescription drugs seriously,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said in a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Virginia.² “Covetrus shipped over $20 million in prescription drugs to unauthorized end-users in violation of federal laws that are designed to ensure prescription drugs are kept within a controlled chain of distribution and to prevent diversion and inappropriate use.”

RELATED: 2024 veterinary news in review: #19

According to the release, the company shipped prescription drugs between March 2019 and December 2021 to multiple Covetrus nonpharmacy locations within the United States and to end-users who were not authorized to receive the drugs. Because these shipments were from nonpharmacy locations to nonauthorized end-users or locations, the shipments were deemed as misbranded.^1,2

The case was investigated by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Virginia State Police, with help from the Virginia Department of Health Professions.¹ In a statement to dvm360, a Covetrus spokesperson said the company cooperated with the investigation.

"Covetrus North America resolved a criminal investigation that was conducted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia regarding the distribution of misbranded prescription veterinary medication," a Covetrus spokesperson told dvm360.

For information on this story, including more about Covetrus’ sentence, references, and more, continue reading the full article: https://www.dvm360.com/view/animal-health-company-sentenced-for-drug-misbranding