Merck Animal Health Announces FDA Approval of SAFE-GUARD® AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension) for Use in Backyard Chicken Flocks

Only FDA-approved chicken dewormer designed for home use

RAHWAY, N.J., Nov. 13, 2024 – Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of SAFE-GUARD^® AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension) for use in backyard chicken flocks, making it the only FDA-approved chicken dewormer designed for home use.

          SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL is indicated for the treatment and control of adult Ascaridia galli in broiler chickens and replacement chickens and for the treatment and control of adult Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarium in breeding chickens and laying hens. It is administered orally to chickens by adding a daily dose to drinking water for five consecutive days.

           “Chicken flocks of any size can be affected by intestinal parasites, leading to animal welfare concerns and decreased production efficiency. To help backyard chicken owners tackle these challenges, Merck Animal Health is proud to introduce a new addition to our trusted SAFE-GUARD family—a highly effective dewormer specifically designed for backyard flocks,” said Blayne Mozisek, D.V.M., livestock insights and outcomes for Merck Animal Health. “SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL effectively treats common intestinal parasites in the average-sized backyard flock with the added benefit of no meat or egg withdrawal.”

          SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL for home use will be available in a 3 mL presentation at fleet and dealer retail outlets beginning in January 2025. More information will be available soon at DewormMyChickens.com.

SAFE-GUARD AQUASOL Product Label

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Accidental exposure may result in skin and eye irritation and may cause gastrointestinal disturbances and hypersensitivity reactions in humans. No withdrawal period is required when used according to the label. Consult your veterinarian for assistance in the diagnosis, treatment and control of parasitism.

Merck Animal Health announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of SAFE-GUARD® AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension) for use in backyard chicken flocks, making it the only FDA-approved chicken dewormer designed for home use.

About Merck Animal Health

          At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals^®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA

          This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

          Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

          The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

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