Having witnessed empty grocery store shelves and limited availability of products, one of my revelations has certainly been a renewed appreciation for the abundance of product choices we typically enjoy - and have previously taken for granted.
Similarly, for livestock production, ensuring the availability of product choices is key to the efficiency and sustainability of our industry in the future.
In July 2019, Huvepharma had the opportunity to bring the first bioequivalent monensin product (Monovet® 90 monensin Type A medicated article) to U.S. livestock producers, after nearly 40 years of only one monensin choice in the marketplace.
Monensin is an ionophore shown to improve feed efficiency, and prevent and control coccidiosis due to parasites among cattle fed in confinement. It can be fed to:
- cattle fed in confinement
- growing cattle on pasture or in a dry lot for increased rate of weight gain and for prevention and control of coccidiosis
- dairy cows for increased milk production efficiency
- mature reproducing beef for improved feed efficiency when receiving supplemental feed and for the prevention and control of coccidiosis
Caution: Do not feed undiluted. Do not allow horses access to feeds, it can be fatal. Use in unapproved species may result in toxic reactions. Do not exceed the levels of monensin recommended in the feeding directions. For full product information click here.
It's been an exciting experience to introduce feedyard managers, dairy producers and mill managers to a new bioequivalent monensin choice. And not surprisingly, like any consumer considering a new product, I've fielded questions and curiosity about 'bioequivalent'.
What does bioequivalent mean?
To earn FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval and the opportunity to come into the marketplace, bioequivalent products must go through rigorous research trials proving that the bioequivalent has the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and route of administration as the brand-name, pioneer product. The FDA sets the guidelines and tells the manufacturer what research trials they must conduct and meet to earn approval.
There is a misconception that bioequivalent products only have to be 10 to 15 percent of the active ingredient compared to the pioneer product. That is not true. The FDA is specific and detailed in their testing and performance requirements.
Over the past 12 years, Huvepharma has performed extensive testing per FDA requirements to irrefutably demonstrate bioequivalence of Monovet® 90 to the pioneer product. This included studies meeting Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), which determined Monovet 90 provides the same feed efficiency response as the pioneer; two separate GLP residue studies which showed that Monovet® 90 and the pioneer behave the same with no residues of concern from either product; and comparative dissolution studies to further prove that Monovet® 90 is bioequivalent to the pioneer.
Market feedback
But even with FDA approval, the next real test of our product has been earning 'approval' from those using the product. As Monovet 90 has been introduced across the livestock industry, I've heard a common response of: "We will give it a try, but if it doesn't work, we'll go back to what we were using."
I wouldn't expect anything less. The cattle business requires efficient, effective products - and managers watch closely to know if cattle are performing or not. Our monensin bioequivalent appears to cut the mustard. Over the past year, feedyard managers and cattle producers have fed the product to 10 million beef and dairy cattle - and counting.
In visiting with these end-product users, the common sentiment expressed to me is that they appreciate having a choice of medicated feed products in the marketplace. As one individual said to me, "Having options is never a bad thing."
