Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica receives EU backing for Metacam

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has received the backing of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) over a number of new specifications of its arthritis drug Metacam.

The regulator’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use has adopted a positive opinion for the meloxicam-based treatment to be used in a new strength 2 ml solution for felines, which can be administered via injection.

It received further positive opinions for the drug to be used in a new post-operative indication for cats, designed to be administered as a 0.5 ml oral suspension treatment.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica also applied for an extension of the existing authorisation of Metacam use among pigs, concerning the addition of a new strength 15 ml oral suspension, which was also met with a positive recommendation.

Metacam is a prescription-only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which is also specified for use among dogs.

According to Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, it is the most popular drug in the UK for canine arthritis treatment.