Health Canada approves Engemycin® DD from Merck Animal Health

Kirkland, QC, (September 22, 2025) – 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 the launch of Engemycin® DD, an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by bacteria sensitive to oxytetracycline in cattle, swine and sheep.

Engemycin® DD is a Category III antimicrobial drug. Antimicrobial drugs are categorized based on their importance in human medicine, with the highest category of antimicrobials reserved for the treatment of serious infections to preserve their efficacy and limit antimicrobial resistance. Because of this, the use of Category I antimicrobials in livestock is restricted except for extraordinary cases. As a Category III antimicrobial, Engemycin® DD can offer a new treatment option in livestock. It is also the only short-acting oxytetracycline on the market for livestock, making it ideal for dairy farmers to treat infected cows and have a manageable withdrawal period for milk.

“The launch of Engemycin® DD is significant, especially for dairy farmers in provinces where the use of Category I antimicrobials has been restricted in food-producing animals,” said Ray Reynen, DVM, Veterinary Services, Cattle at Merck Animal Health. “Engemycin® DD gives producers a viable option where they have had limited choices for broad-spectrum antibiotics.”

“Increasing the diversity of veterinary health care tools available in Canada is essential to positive health outcomes for animals and helping farmers play their part in reducing antimicrobial resistance,” said David Wiens, President of Dairy Farmers of Canada. “We welcome the introduction of new treatment options as a positive step towards a more robust set of veterinary health care solutions.”

There has been a shortage of broad-spectrum antibiotic options on the market in recent years as products have been discontinued for sale in Canada. Merck Animal Health filed an updated regulatory dossier for Engemycin® DD in February 2024. The Veterinary Drugs Directorate granted a priority review given its demonstrated need to the industry and Engemycin® DD received market authorization in February 2025. By working with the Veterinary Drugs Directorate to help fulfil an unmet need in the market, Merck Animal Health continues to show its commitment to supporting producers, veterinarians and Canadian animal health.

Engemycin® DD is now available for use in Canada. Producers can contact their local veterinarian to determine whether Engemycin® DD is suitable for the animal to be treated. For more information on Engemycin® DD, veterinarians can contact their local Merck Animal Health representative or call 1-866-683-7838.