SHAWNEE MISSION, Kan., May 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To ensure public
awareness of the science supporting the continued use of Baytril(R)
(enrofloxacin) 3.23% Concentrate Antimicrobial Solution in poultry, Bayer
Corporation has posted its narrative statement to the HealthyPoultry.com web
site at http://www.HealthyPoultry.com/articles. The narrative statement is an
outline of Bayer's case and was submitted to the docket on April 22 as part of
Bayer's response to the Food and Drug Administration hearing regarding the use
of Baytril (enrofloxacin) in poultry.
According to the narrative statement, Bayer will introduce evidence at the
hearing demonstrating that the "use of enrofloxacin in chickens and turkeys
has a substantial and quantifiable human health benefit that outweighs the
purported risks of enrofloxacin use." It also states that "CVM has overstated
the role that consumption of poultry plays as a risk factor for human
campylobacteriosis" and points to genetic research and data from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention to demonstrate that poultry is not a
primary source of human Campylobacter infections in humans.
Web Site Educates Consumers, Veterinarians
The HealthyPoultry.com web site was launched last month to help concerned
consumers understand how Baytril(R) (enrofloxacin) 3.23% Concentrate
Antimicrobial Solution is used in poultry and to provide information to the
veterinary community. A special section of the site provides technical
information for veterinarians and poultry producers and includes selected
submissions to the FDA Docket relating to the upcoming hearing.
"The site is designed to dispel some of the myths about the use of Baytril
in poultry as well as answer questions about how and when the product is
used," said Dr. Dennis Copeland of Bayer's Animal Health business. "For
example, consumers can learn that Baytril is not used for growth promotion and
preventative treatment but only to treat poultry with often-fatal respiratory
infections caused by E. coli. This helps ensure only healthy chickens and
turkeys enter the nation's food supply."
The web site can be accessed at http://www.HealthyPoultry.com or from a
link on Bayer Corporation's web site, http://www.BayerUS.com.
Approved by the FDA in 1996, Baytril (enrofloxacin) 3.23% Concentrate
Antimicrobial Solution is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used by veterinarians
to control mortality associated with E. coli in chickens and mortality
associated with E. coli and P. multocida (fowl cholera) in turkeys. Baytril
(enrofloxacin) is neither added to feed nor used for growth promotion.
Federal law restricts Baytril to use by or on the order of a licensed
veterinarian. Federal law prohibits the extra-label use of this drug in food-
producing animals. For product information, see
http://www.HealthyPoultry.com.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Bayer Corporation had sales of $10.1 billion
in 2001 and is one of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Companies. The company
employs 21,500 people. It is a member of the worldwide Bayer Group, a
$27 billion international health care and chemicals group based in Leverkusen,
Germany. The Bayer Group stock is a component of the DAX and is listed on the
New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: BAY).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current
assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material
differences between the actual future results, financial situation,
development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These
factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt
Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including
our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these
forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or
developments.
SOURCE Bayer Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.bayerus.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/092575.html
CONTACT:
David Reeder of Bayer, +1-412-777-5666
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