Alberta Company Aids US Screwworm Fight

Calgary, Alberta – Solvet, a veterinary pharmaceutical company founded in 2009, has received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its equine ivermectin product. This approval allows the company to sell its specialized liquid ivermectin in the United States to combat the persistent threat of the screwworm fly.

The FDA's authorization, granted in July 2026, specifically targets the screwworm, a fly species native to North America. Female screwworm flies lay eggs on open wounds of mammals, and their larvae feed on host tissue, causing severe pain, infection, and potentially death. This pest has historically caused millions in losses for ranchers in the U.S. and Mexico.

Solvet's ivermectin is an aqueous-based, concentrated liquid formulation that is more easily administered than traditional pastes. This unique product is authorized for the short-term prevention of screwworm in horses, to be used within 24 hours of birth or at the time of initial wound care.

The resurgence of screwworm in Central America and Mexico in 2024 led to concerns and protective measures, including import halts from Texas by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in June 2026. While the U.S. has restarted production of sterile male flies to eradicate the pest, this process takes time.

Veterinarians acknowledge the product's utility for animal welfare during an outbreak but caution against overuse to prevent drug resistance. Canada currently has no screwworm cases, with its climate considered unsuitable for long-term establishment of the flies. Solvet views this authorization as a significant opportunity for international growth and economic benefit for Alberta.