Animal drug firm’s key product returns

Animalcare finds new supplier for its leading pet treatment

Veterinary medicines supplier Animalcare Group is resuming sale of its Buprecare single dose ampoules – an analgesic for cats and dogs - following an 18 month break in supply.

The York-based company, which had an operation in Newton Aycliffe, lost a product which accounted for £650,000 worth of annual turnover when its previous supplier closed its production unit.

For the year ended June 30 2012, Animalcare revealed an 8.2% fall in revenue to £10.9m and a fall in pre-tax profit to £2.3m. The fall in sales was largely caused by the loss of the Buprecare single dose ampoule.

But now a new contract has been signed with a German multinational contract manufacturer with a suitable facility in France which has been approved to manufacture Buprecare single dose ampoules.  These will be available for sale in all previously supplied markets in the UK and Europe.

Animalcare management says it is confident about the new supply of Buprecare ampoules and that it will win back lost sales of the product.

It also reports that Buprecare multidose vial, launched in March 2012, continues to sell well. Its strong performance is expected to complement the sale of the ampoule product.

Chief executive Stephen Wildridge said:  "It was very disappointing to lose our marketing leading product Buprecare ampoules so abruptly, however after some excellent work from the Animalcare team in identifying and working with a very competent manufacturer we are now back in a market that has been eagerly awaiting our return and with a supplier that puts us in an even stronger position.  It's a very good way to start 2013."