Biological Prospects LLC, the developer of Equithrive Joint and Metaboral, has received regulatory approval to supply its products to customers in Canada.

“We have had a lot of interest and requests from Canadian customers and veterinarians,” according to Dr. Patrick Lawless, founder, president and CEO of Biological Prospects.

“Now for the first time we can sell direct to customers in Canada and provide horses there a product that has been proven in multiple university studies to reduce lameness and support a healthy inflammatory response.”

Equithrive is available to order online through the company website. Because arrangements have been made to ship the product from a Canadian warehouse, delivery will be faster and more cost effective than for products that are shipped from the United States.

Equithrive, the global leader in Resveratrol therapy for horses, is unique among equine supplement companies in its emphasis on scientific proof of effectiveness of its product offerings. Research published in the Sept. 15, 2016, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and delivered at the 2016 conference of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) provides proof that the oral supplement, Equithrive Joint, is an effective therapy for equine hock lameness.

Now the company is once again setting itself apart with its new government approval to sell in Canada.

“It has taken more than 6 months to complete the registration process, but it has been well worth it, as now we are uniquely positioned for the future,” says Lawless.

“Many supplement companies don’t take the time to go through this governmental process and people are forced to drive across the border to purchase American products that are not approved for sale in Canada.”

Animal health supplement manufacturers are not required to register their products with the FDA or USDA prior to sales in the United States. In Canada, Equithrive Joint and Metabarol were registered with Health Canada as Low Risk Veterinary Health Products (LRVHP) for export purposes, which requires special reporting requirements, including adverse event reporting.

The company’s product formulations will be the same in Canada as they are in the United States. However, LRVHP labeling requirements and the inclusion of both French and English text, make it necessary to alter the container appearance.

“We are changing our packaging from the round 2-pound container with twist-off top, to a square container with a flip top which will expand the labeling space,” says Lawless.

“We expect to be taking on additional wholesale accounts from veterinary practices and feed and tack stores as we launch our products in Canada. Once we are fully up to speed in Canada, I expect to turn our attention to European sales where we continue to receive requests from veterinarians and customers.”