Federal Violations - Chewy Among Companies Selling Unapproved Animal Drugs

The FDA has issued warning letters to Chewy Inc CHWY and eight other companies for violating federal law by distributing or manufacturing unapproved and misbranded antimicrobial animal drugs for animals that could potentially give rise to drug-resistant superbugs.

The agency is concerned because these products contain antimicrobials that are important in human medicine, and using them without medical oversight contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance. 

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The animal products referenced in the warning letters are marketed and labeled for minor species, such as aquarium fish and pet birds. 

They contain antimicrobials important in human medicine, such as amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin, and are being illegally marketed over the counter. 

"Inappropriate use of medically important antimicrobials contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which affects both human and animal health," Tracey Forfa, director of the FDA's veterinary medicine center, said in a statement on Thursday.

The FDA also said that using unapproved animal drugs in humans could delay effective treatment and allow infections to become severe and resistant to antibiotics.

Anyone using the products should safely dispose them, the agency said.

Price Action: CHWY shares are down 0.32% at $20.40 on the last check Thursday.