FDA authorises Simparica TRIO for emergency use against New World screwworm in dogs

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency approval for Zoetis’s Simparica TRIO to treat screwworm infestations in dogs, part of a broader effort to combat a parasite outbreak that highlights emerging veterinary health challenges.

The US Food and Drug Administration has authorised Zoetis’s Simparica TRIO under emergency powers to treat New World screwworm infestations in dogs and puppies, as the agency broadens its veterinary response to a parasite that has prompted a series of temporary approvals this year.

The FDA said the chewable tablet may be effective against myiasis caused by the larvae, but stressed that it is not approved to prevent infection. The agency said dogs in much of the US face low risk, although animals that live in, travel to, or return from affected areas, including parts of Texas and New Mexico and some countries south of the border, should be monitored for signs such as maggots or foul-smelling wounds.

Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas said the agency wanted veterinarians and owners to have more treatment options if cases spread. Timothy Schell, who heads the agency’s Centre for Veterinary Medicine, urged owners to stay alert rather than alarmed and to seek veterinary advice if they are concerned.

The authorisation follows earlier emergency approvals for other animal drugs, including Credelio, NexGard and generic nitenpyram, reflecting Washington’s effort to build a back-up arsenal against an outbreak that could threaten livestock, pets and, in extreme cases, people.