Viewpoint Archive
AHI Statement on New World Screwworm Response
(Washington, DC – June 16, 2026) Following the confirmed detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States, the Animal Health Institute (AHI) today emphasized the animal health industry’s commitment to helping veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, ranchers, and public officials respond to this serious pest. The current risk to animals, humans, and the food […]
Statement by Martha Scott Poindexter On New World Screwworm Detection in Texas
(June 4, 2026) New World Screwworm has now been detected in Texas – a serious development that U.S. animal health officials have long worked to prevent. The encouraging news is that U.S. authorities have seen this coming and have been working urgently to prepare. Since August of 2025, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has […]
Animal Health Institute Calls for Faster, More Modern Animal Drug Review Process in ADUFA VI Discussions
Washington, DC – The Animal Health Institute (AHI) today urged regulators and stakeholders to use the upcoming reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA VI) as an opportunity to modernize the animal drug review process, strengthen U.S. leadership in animal health innovation, and improve timely access to safe and effective products for veterinarians, […]
AHI Statement from Martha Scott Poindexter on Presidential Proclamation of Pharmaceutical Tariffs
April 6, 2026—The Animal Health Institute today expressed appreciation to the Trump Administration for recognizing the value of animal health products in the Proclamation entitled “Adjusting Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients into the United States” released on April 2, 2026. “While we are still analyzing the Proclamation we look forward to working with the […]
AHI Welcomes Dr. Ellen J. Hart as Vice President of Regulatory and International Affairs
Washington, D.C. — April 6, 2026 — The Animal Health Institute (AHI) today announced that Ellen J. Hart, DVM, has joined the organization as Vice President of Regulatory and International Affairs. In her role, Dr. Hart will lead the industry’s regulatory reform effort, coordinate industry’s efforts in anticipation of the Animal Drug User Fee Act […]
Statement from AHI on the Final Guidance from FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on the Duration of Use of Antimicrobials
The Animal Health Institute today applauded the final guidance published by FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) on the duration of use of antimicrobials. The guidance establishes a framework for sponsors to work with CVM to determine appropriate limits of use for medically important antimicrobials in feed and water while maintaining the ability of licensed […]
AHI Applauds Confirmation of Julie Callahan as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for USTR
(December 19, 2025) Martha Scott Poindexter, President and CEO of the Animal Health Institute, today welcomed the Senate Confirmation of Dr. Julie Callahan as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of U.S. Trade Representative. “We are thrilled with Julie’s appointment and thank the Senate for acting to confirm her,” said Poindexter. “At a time when […]
AHI Report Finds that Healthy Animals Can Stabilize the Food Supply, Reduce Food Inflation, and Use Fewer Resources
(Washington, DC – December 17, 2025) An analysis by Oxford Analytica has found that keeping animals healthy can provide tangible benefits to the economy, nutrition, and the environment. US Animal Health: Advancing and Securing Sustainability presents data that demonstrates how healthy animals mean more income for farmers and more affordable nutrition for consumers. “The data […]
Louis of Team Canada has officially claimed the title of World’s Cutest Pet
December 9, 2025 – After a fluffy and fierce international competition, Louis, a dog proudly representing Team Canada, has won the inaugural Global Cutest Pets Showdown. A friendly competition organized by the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), the Animal Health Institute (AHI), and AnimalhealthEurope, the showdown featured the winners of three popular contests – Cutest […]
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 Statement on New World Screwworm Response
(Washington, DC – June 16, 2026) Following the confirmed detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States, the Animal Health Institute (AHI) today emphasized the animal health industry’s commitment to helping veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, ranchers, and public officials respond to this serious pest. The current risk to animals, humans, and the food […]
Statement by Martha Scott Poindexter On New World Screwworm Detection in Texas
(June 4, 2026) New World Screwworm has now been detected in Texas – a serious development that U.S. animal health officials have long worked to prevent. The encouraging news is that U.S. authorities have seen this coming and have been working urgently to prepare. Since August of 2025, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has […]
Animal Health Institute Calls for Faster, More Modern Animal Drug Review Process in ADUFA VI Discussions
Washington, DC – The Animal Health Institute (AHI) today urged regulators and stakeholders to use the upcoming reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA VI) as an opportunity to modernize the animal drug review process, strengthen U.S. leadership in animal health innovation, and improve timely access to safe and effective products for veterinarians, […]
AHI Statement from Martha Scott Poindexter on Presidential Proclamation of Pharmaceutical Tariffs
April 6, 2026—The Animal Health Institute today expressed appreciation to the Trump Administration for recognizing the value of animal health products in the Proclamation entitled “Adjusting Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients into the United States” released on April 2, 2026. “While we are still analyzing the Proclamation we look forward to working with the […]
AHI Welcomes Dr. Ellen J. Hart as Vice President of Regulatory and International Affairs
Washington, D.C. — April 6, 2026 — The Animal Health Institute (AHI) today announced that Ellen J. Hart, DVM, has joined the organization as Vice President of Regulatory and International Affairs. In her role, Dr. Hart will lead the industry’s regulatory reform effort, coordinate industry’s efforts in anticipation of the Animal Drug User Fee Act […]
Statement from AHI on the Final Guidance from FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on the Duration of Use of Antimicrobials
The Animal Health Institute today applauded the final guidance published by FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) on the duration of use of antimicrobials. The guidance establishes a framework for sponsors to work with CVM to determine appropriate limits of use for medically important antimicrobials in feed and water while maintaining the ability of licensed […]
AHI Applauds Confirmation of Julie Callahan as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for USTR
(December 19, 2025) Martha Scott Poindexter, President and CEO of the Animal Health Institute, today welcomed the Senate Confirmation of Dr. Julie Callahan as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of U.S. Trade Representative. “We are thrilled with Julie’s appointment and thank the Senate for acting to confirm her,” said Poindexter. “At a time when […]
AHI Report Finds that Healthy Animals Can Stabilize the Food Supply, Reduce Food Inflation, and Use Fewer Resources
(Washington, DC – December 17, 2025) An analysis by Oxford Analytica has found that keeping animals healthy can provide tangible benefits to the economy, nutrition, and the environment. US Animal Health: Advancing and Securing Sustainability presents data that demonstrates how healthy animals mean more income for farmers and more affordable nutrition for consumers. “The data […]
Louis of Team Canada has officially claimed the title of World’s Cutest Pet
December 9, 2025 – After a fluffy and fierce international competition, Louis, a dog proudly representing Team Canada, has won the inaugural Global Cutest Pets Showdown. A friendly competition organized by the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), the Animal Health Institute (AHI), and AnimalhealthEurope, the showdown featured the winners of three popular contests – Cutest […]
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: […]