The Irish Medicines Board has claimed in the High Court that a penicillin-based medicine distributed to cattle, sheep and pigs here is a "public health risk".
Norbrook Laboratories, which distributes Norocillin LA, has insisted the risk is negligible and that it has produced evidence that its suggested withdrawal periods for residues are adequate to ensure public health is protected.
The board yesterday asked Mr Justice Kelly to lift a stay on its October 3rd decision to suspend marketing authorisation for Norocillin LA. The stay was granted to Norbrook, Armagh Road, Newry, Co Down, by the High Court on October 22nd when it secured leave to seek an order quashing the board's decision.
The case arises from that Medicine Board's decision of October 3rd last to suspend all marketing authorisations for injectable formulations of benzathine penicillin (long-acting penicillin) insofar as they apply to the treatment of infections in cattle, sheep and pigs.
The hearing of the application concluded yesterday and Mr Justice Kelly will give his decision tomorrow.