Viewpoint Archive
AHI Congratulates Dr. Tim Schell on Appointment as Director of Center for Veterinary Medicine.
AHI President and CEO Martha Scott Poindexter made the following statement regarding today’s Food and Drug Administration announcement of the appointment of a new director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine: I am excited to congratulate Dr. Tim Schell on being named Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and thank FDA Commissioner Marty […]
AHI Recognizes World Rabies Day, September 28
Veterinarians know that keeping pets vaccinated against rabies is the foundation of responsible pet ownership. Rabies is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease, meaning that it can travel between animals and humans. Vaccinating animals has proven to be the most effective way to stop the spread of rabies, and the rabies vaccine for pets is an […]
AHI Announces Winners of the 2025 Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill Contest
(September 16, 2025) Congratulations to Bear the dog, Scosh the cat, and Chickpea the rabbit for winning the 2025 Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill Contest. The winners were announced as a part of Pet Week on Capitol Hill. “Each year, the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill Contest is a testament to the power of the […]
AHI Supports USDA’s Expanded Commitment to Supporting Rural Veterinarians
The USDA’s Rural Veterinary Action Plan (RVAP) includes important initiatives that will help strengthen America’s animal health infrastructure. America has one of the safest and most reliable food supplies in the world, and veterinarians are the heart of agricultural production. Investing in the veterinary workforce is also good economics – healthy animals are more productive, […]
AHI CEO Martha Scott Poindexter Applauds Administration Action on New World Screwworm
August 19, 2025 — I appreciate the action taken by Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy to create a flexible pathway for the use of animal health products to treat and prevent New World Screwworm (NWS). The emergency declaration signed by the Secretary allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue emergency use authorizations […]
AHI Welcomes Callahan Nomination as Chief Ag Negotiator
The Animal Health Institute welcomes President Trump’s nomination of Julie Callahan to be the Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). “The President could not have found anyone better qualified for this important trade role than Julie Callahan,” said AHI President and CEO Martha Scott Poindexter. “Dr. Callahan has been […]
AHI Recognizes World Zoonoses Day
Animal health is public health, and World Zoonoses Day reminds us why that connection matters more than ever. July 6 is the anniversary of a major milestone in public health: the first successful vaccination against a zoonotic disease by Louis Pasteur in 1885. It serves as a reminder of what’s possible when veterinary medicine and […]
AHI Supports Reagan-Udall Foundation Report on Modernizing the Center for Veterinary Medicine
June 25, 2025 Statement by Martha Scott Poindexter, AHI CEO The Reagan-Udall Foundation Report entitled “Transforming Animal Health in the US for the 21st Century” makes a compelling case for modernizing the work and authorities of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The report also makes several specific regulatory and legislative suggestions to accomplish the […]
AHI Names Gene Harrington Senior Director of State Affairs
WASHINGTON, DC, June 24, 2025 – Animal Health Institute CEO Martha Scott Poindexter today announced Gene Harrington has been named Senior Director, State Affairs. Harrington comes to AHI from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) where he has held a similar position for the past three years. “We are excited to have Gene joining our team,” […]
Jamie Brannan of Zoetis Elected AHI Board Chair
WASHINGTON, DC, May 13, 2025 – The Animal Health Institute’s Board of Directors today elected Jamie Brannan of Zoetis as Board Chair for the remainder of the 2024-26 term. Brannan is Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Zoetis. Richard R. DeLuca, Jr., Executive Vice President and President, Merck Animal Health, becomes Immediate Past […]
Martha Scott Poindexter Appointed CEO of AHI
WASHINGTON, DC, May 6, 2025 – The Animal Health Institute (AHI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Martha Scott Poindexter as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 12, 2025. Richard R. DeLuca, Jr., Chair of the AHI Board of Directors and Executive Vice President and President of Merck Animal Health, expressed his enthusiasm: […]
AHI Perspective on FDA Reorganization
April 2, 2025—The animal health industry provides essential medicines to keep both pets and food animals healthy. These products make key contributions to protecting the safety of the food supply and promoting the human-animal bond by enhancing the quality of life for companion animals. In 2021, the US animal health industry produced nearly $14 billion […]
AHI News: Health Threats from Parasites Are Increasing
World Parasite Awareness Day is an Important Step Toward Keeping Pets and People Healthy Washington, D.C. March 20, 2025 – Health leaders from around the world are marking the first ever World Parasite Awareness Day, a collective effort to raise awareness about the increasing threat of parasites to pets and people. Mosquito-borne and tick-borne disease […]
AHI Commends FDA Action to Protect Pet Health
The Animal Health Institute (AHI) commends the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for protecting the health of pets through their recent efforts to enforce laws governing animal medicines. The FDA issued warning letters to six sellers of unapproved animal drugs being illegally marketed with claims to treat seizures. We urge pet owners and veterinarians alike […]
AHI Applauds UN Declaration on AMR
September 27, 2024 The Animal Health Institute (AHI) welcomes the adoption of the United Nations political declaration on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The declaration represents a global consensus for better animal health and disease prevention. Under the One Health approach, actions in animal health, human health and the environment present the best pathway for addressing AMR. […]
AHI Viewpoint: Reducing Antibiotic Resistance Calls for a One Health Approach
Antibiotics are a cornerstone of modern medicine. However, unnecessary use can lead to resistant bacterial infections where antibiotics may no longer work. Solving this challenge cuts across human, environmental, and animal health, and it requires action in all domains. Nearly 200 nations around the world are taking collective action to address the global health challenge […]
AHI Viewpoint: Judicious Use is Helping Reduce the Need for Animal Antibiotics
The animal health industry is committed to researching and producing a full spectrum of veterinary tools that reduce the need for antibiotics. In addition to preventing the diseases that call for antibiotic use, we are working to ensure that when antibiotics are used, they are used judiciously. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recognized […]
AHI Viewpoint: Disease Prevention is a Proven Pathway to Reducing the Need for Animal Antibiotics
The best strategy for reducing the threat of antimicrobial resistance is to reduce the need for antibiotics through better prevention, earlier detection, and more efficient treatment. Innovations in animal health have improved prevention efforts. For example, accurate diagnostics curb the severity of animal disease by enabling more effective treatments and reducing the need for antibiotics. […]
AHI President & CEO Alex Mathews to Retire
WASHINGTON, DC, July 18, 2024 – Alexander S. Mathews, President and CEO of the Animal Health Institute, has announced his intention to retire from that position at the end of the calendar year. As a result, the Board has initiated a nationwide search for a successor. “The AHI Board extends its deepest gratitude to […]
AHI Statement Regarding FDA-CVM Clarification
July 16, 2024 The Animal Health Institute (AHI) commends the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) for its decisive action in clarifying the prioritization of approved pioneer and generic products by veterinarians and pharmacists before considering compounded or illegally imported products. The use of FDA-approved animal drug products should always be preferred. These […]
AHI Congratulates Dr. Tim Schell on Appointment as Director of Center for Veterinary Medicine.
AHI President and CEO Martha Scott Poindexter made the following statement regarding today’s Food and Drug Administration announcement of the appointment of a new director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine: I am excited to congratulate Dr. Tim Schell on being named Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and thank FDA Commissioner Marty […]
AHI Recognizes World Rabies Day, September 28
Veterinarians know that keeping pets vaccinated against rabies is the foundation of responsible pet ownership. Rabies is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease, meaning that it can travel between animals and humans. Vaccinating animals has proven to be the most effective way to stop the spread of rabies, and the rabies vaccine for pets is an […]
AHI Announces Winners of the 2025 Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill Contest
(September 16, 2025) Congratulations to Bear the dog, Scosh the cat, and Chickpea the rabbit for winning the 2025 Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill Contest. The winners were announced as a part of Pet Week on Capitol Hill. “Each year, the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill Contest is a testament to the power of the […]
AHI Supports USDA’s Expanded Commitment to Supporting Rural Veterinarians
The USDA’s Rural Veterinary Action Plan (RVAP) includes important initiatives that will help strengthen America’s animal health infrastructure. America has one of the safest and most reliable food supplies in the world, and veterinarians are the heart of agricultural production. Investing in the veterinary workforce is also good economics – healthy animals are more productive, […]
AHI CEO Martha Scott Poindexter Applauds Administration Action on New World Screwworm
August 19, 2025 — I appreciate the action taken by Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy to create a flexible pathway for the use of animal health products to treat and prevent New World Screwworm (NWS). The emergency declaration signed by the Secretary allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue emergency use authorizations […]
AHI Welcomes Callahan Nomination as Chief Ag Negotiator
The Animal Health Institute welcomes President Trump’s nomination of Julie Callahan to be the Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). “The President could not have found anyone better qualified for this important trade role than Julie Callahan,” said AHI President and CEO Martha Scott Poindexter. “Dr. Callahan has been […]
AHI Recognizes World Zoonoses Day
Animal health is public health, and World Zoonoses Day reminds us why that connection matters more than ever. July 6 is the anniversary of a major milestone in public health: the first successful vaccination against a zoonotic disease by Louis Pasteur in 1885. It serves as a reminder of what’s possible when veterinary medicine and […]
AHI Supports Reagan-Udall Foundation Report on Modernizing the Center for Veterinary Medicine
June 25, 2025 Statement by Martha Scott Poindexter, AHI CEO The Reagan-Udall Foundation Report entitled “Transforming Animal Health in the US for the 21st Century” makes a compelling case for modernizing the work and authorities of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The report also makes several specific regulatory and legislative suggestions to accomplish the […]
AHI Names Gene Harrington Senior Director of State Affairs
WASHINGTON, DC, June 24, 2025 – Animal Health Institute CEO Martha Scott Poindexter today announced Gene Harrington has been named Senior Director, State Affairs. Harrington comes to AHI from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) where he has held a similar position for the past three years. “We are excited to have Gene joining our team,” […]
Jamie Brannan of Zoetis Elected AHI Board Chair
WASHINGTON, DC, May 13, 2025 – The Animal Health Institute’s Board of Directors today elected Jamie Brannan of Zoetis as Board Chair for the remainder of the 2024-26 term. Brannan is Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Zoetis. Richard R. DeLuca, Jr., Executive Vice President and President, Merck Animal Health, becomes Immediate Past […]
Martha Scott Poindexter Appointed CEO of AHI
WASHINGTON, DC, May 6, 2025 – The Animal Health Institute (AHI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Martha Scott Poindexter as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 12, 2025. Richard R. DeLuca, Jr., Chair of the AHI Board of Directors and Executive Vice President and President of Merck Animal Health, expressed his enthusiasm: […]
AHI Perspective on FDA Reorganization
April 2, 2025—The animal health industry provides essential medicines to keep both pets and food animals healthy. These products make key contributions to protecting the safety of the food supply and promoting the human-animal bond by enhancing the quality of life for companion animals. In 2021, the US animal health industry produced nearly $14 billion […]
AHI News: Health Threats from Parasites Are Increasing
World Parasite Awareness Day is an Important Step Toward Keeping Pets and People Healthy Washington, D.C. March 20, 2025 – Health leaders from around the world are marking the first ever World Parasite Awareness Day, a collective effort to raise awareness about the increasing threat of parasites to pets and people. Mosquito-borne and tick-borne disease […]
AHI Commends FDA Action to Protect Pet Health
The Animal Health Institute (AHI) commends the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for protecting the health of pets through their recent efforts to enforce laws governing animal medicines. The FDA issued warning letters to six sellers of unapproved animal drugs being illegally marketed with claims to treat seizures. We urge pet owners and veterinarians alike […]
AHI Applauds UN Declaration on AMR
September 27, 2024 The Animal Health Institute (AHI) welcomes the adoption of the United Nations political declaration on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The declaration represents a global consensus for better animal health and disease prevention. Under the One Health approach, actions in animal health, human health and the environment present the best pathway for addressing AMR. […]
AHI Viewpoint: Reducing Antibiotic Resistance Calls for a One Health Approach
Antibiotics are a cornerstone of modern medicine. However, unnecessary use can lead to resistant bacterial infections where antibiotics may no longer work. Solving this challenge cuts across human, environmental, and animal health, and it requires action in all domains. Nearly 200 nations around the world are taking collective action to address the global health challenge […]
AHI Viewpoint: Judicious Use is Helping Reduce the Need for Animal Antibiotics
The animal health industry is committed to researching and producing a full spectrum of veterinary tools that reduce the need for antibiotics. In addition to preventing the diseases that call for antibiotic use, we are working to ensure that when antibiotics are used, they are used judiciously. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recognized […]
AHI Viewpoint: Disease Prevention is a Proven Pathway to Reducing the Need for Animal Antibiotics
The best strategy for reducing the threat of antimicrobial resistance is to reduce the need for antibiotics through better prevention, earlier detection, and more efficient treatment. Innovations in animal health have improved prevention efforts. For example, accurate diagnostics curb the severity of animal disease by enabling more effective treatments and reducing the need for antibiotics. […]
AHI President & CEO Alex Mathews to Retire
WASHINGTON, DC, July 18, 2024 – Alexander S. Mathews, President and CEO of the Animal Health Institute, has announced his intention to retire from that position at the end of the calendar year. As a result, the Board has initiated a nationwide search for a successor. “The AHI Board extends its deepest gratitude to […]
AHI Statement Regarding FDA-CVM Clarification
July 16, 2024 The Animal Health Institute (AHI) commends the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) for its decisive action in clarifying the prioritization of approved pioneer and generic products by veterinarians and pharmacists before considering compounded or illegally imported products. The use of FDA-approved animal drug products should always be preferred. These […]