MSD Animal Health sees strong growth in second quarter of 2016

MSD Animal Health has achieved year-on-year sales growth of seven percent during the second quarter of 2016.

The veterinary medicine division of Merck Sharp and Dohme achieved a sales total of $898 million (679.71 million pounds) during the quarter, which represented a ten percent improvement when factoring out a three percent negative impact from foreign exchange.

Sales for products covering all species grew, particularly the companion animals category, which was led by the strong performance of Bravecto, a chewable tablet that kills fleas and ticks in dogs and offers protection for up to 12 weeks.

Key highlights of the quarter include the receipt of European regulatory approval for Bravecto Spot-On Solution for cats and dogs, while last week the US also gave the green light for the product to be sold under the brand name Bravecto Topical.

The firm also recently announced that it will be acquiring a controlling interest in Vallee, a privately-held producer of animal health products in Brazil, with a portfolio of more than 100 products for livestock, horses and companion animals.

This move will reinforce MSD Animal Health's strong commercial presence in Latin America.