The three product categories for animal health products are biologics, which increased 3.7 per cent, pharmaceuticals, with a sales increase of five per cent and feed additives with an increase of 17.6 per cent in 2012. Since recession-generated sales declines in 2008 and 2009, sales of animal health products have steadily increased the last three years.

“Animal medicines are used by veterinarians, pet owners and farmers to protect animal health, whether it’s vaccines to prevent disease or pain medicines to ease the suffering of animals.” said AHI President and CEO Alexander S. Mathews. “The availability of animal medicines provides two main benefits to Americans. First, it allows our pets to live longer healthier lives and improves our enjoyment of them. Second, these medicines help farmers produce a safer and healthier food supply.”

Animal medicines are a critical tool used by veterinarians to keep pets and food animals healthy. Since some 60 per cent of all known diseases are those that can pass between animals and humans, keeping animals healthy is a key to keeping humans healthy. For more information about the connection between animal health and human health, please visit www.healthyanimals.org.

The sales survey shows product sales in the three major product categories. Raw sales data is collected by CEESA, a non-profit international association based in Belgium. CEESA collects sales data on the animal health market in Europe as well. Total sales for the entire US animal health products industry is calculated based on projections made by the US Market Survey Work Group using CEESA data. Sales are for products priced at the manufacturer’s level. CEESA reporting companies represent 87 per cent of the US animal health products industry.