| Contact: |
Kent
Stirling
Florida HBPA
(305) 935-4700
|
Jon
Sendach
The Rowland Co.
(212) 527-8831 |
Florida
HBPA Announces First-Ever Gold Level Sponsorship by Animal Health
Company at Gulfstream Park
-Sponsorship to feature health education program and free endoscopic
screening-
Hallandale,
FL, Feb. 9, 2000 -- The Florida Horsemen's Protective and
Benevolent Association (HBPA), in an effort to raise awareness
of the importance of equine health and its impact on performance,
has partnered with Merial, the maker of GASTROGARD® (omeprazole)
Paste, the first and only equine gastric ulcer medication approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Florida HBPA and
Merial program includes the first-ever gold level sponsorship
by an animal health company and includes a trackside education
effort as well as free diagnostic screening.
"This
is a first-of-its-kind sponsorship for the Florida HBPA and signifies
a new trend by a progressive animal health company toward the
promotion of horse health," said Scott Savin, president, FHBPA.
"The HBPA is pleased to provide on-site education to owners and
trainers about the importance of optimal horse health on performance,
and specifically the prevalence of ulcers in racehorses. As horse-lovers,
healthcare is a top priority in the racehorse community."
The Merial sponsorship is unprecedented in its range. In addition
to including trackside signage and television commercials, Merial
and Florida HBPA have expanded the general marketing program to
include animal healthcare education and an opportunity to have
horses that race at Gulfstream clinically examined for equine
gastric ulcers. The Florida HBPA and Merial free endoscopic evaluation
at Gulfstream Park will be held Feb. 10, 11 and 12. The only definitive
tool for diagnosing ulcers is the endoscope, a device that uses
a small camera to allow veterinarians to visualize the lining
of the stomach.
Merial's
presence at Gulfstream bolsters its already strong commitment
to animal health nationwide. "The racing community, which invests
so much valuable time and energy into its horses, is becoming
more aware of the devastating effects ulcers can have on the overall
health and disposition of horses," explains Graham Lumsden, BVM&S,
Dip.M., equine director, global marketing, Merial. "Animal healthcare
is a joint effort among the trainer, owner and veterinarian. Merial
is pleased to be a part of each winning team."
Historically,
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) has been treated with a variety
of products, but no other compound currently in use, including
H2 blockers like cimetidine and ranitidine, has been proven effective
in well-controlled studies or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for treatment of equine gastric ulcers. GASTROGARD
is the first and only product proven to heal and prevent recurrence
of ulcers in horses.
In
clinical field studies, GASTROGARD Paste was shown to heal or
greatly improve ulcers in up to 99 percent of horses when treated
for a 28-day period, with no side effects. The product has been
proven to prevent the recurrence of ulcers and can be administered
while the horse is still in training. The product was tested at
more than 15 sites involving more than 300 horses of nine different
breeds.
To
support its promotional efforts at Gulfstream, Merial is using
the Gulfstream Park JUMBOTRON and the Gulfstream Racing Network
as a venue for its commercials. The 60-second spots heighten the
awareness of ulcers, which afflict as many as 90 percent of racehorses
nationally. A recent study of 565 horses at major racetracks nationwide
confirms this prevalence. Merial will have an opportunity to distribute
literature to the trainers on backstretch and members of Turf
Club. GASTROGARD advertisements will also run in the Florida HBPA
newsletters.
The
Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, founded
in 1970, serves as the liaison between racetracks and thoroughbred
owners and trainers. Charged with representing the interests of
its members by negotiating contracts with each South Florida racetrack,
the Florida HBPA is funded by voluntary contributions of owner
members.
Merial
is the world's leading animal-health company dedicated to the
research, development, manufacture and delivery of innovative
pharmaceuticals and vaccines for use by veterinarians, food-animal
producers and pet owners to improve the health, well-being and
performance of all animal species. The company is also market
leader in the development and production of poultry breeding stock.
With its worldwide headquarters in London, Merial employs around
6,500 dedicated people, and operates in more than 150 countries
worldwide. Total 1998 sales were US$1.76 billion. Merial is jointly
owned by Merck and Co. Inc. and Aventis S.A. For more information
on GASTROGARD and Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, please visit
the web sites http://www.gastrogard.com and http://www.egus.org,
or call (877) GASTROGARD.
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