FOI2025/00176 - Erythromycin sales data
Published 5 February 2026
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1. FOI2025/00176 Request
I was hoping to obtain the sales data for Erythromycin as a vet antibiotic used in pets and livestock as well as the percentage of sale split between animal types e.g. cats, dogs, poultry, cattle… for the time period of 2002 to 2022.
2. Our reply
Annual product sales for veterinary medicines are supplied to the VMD by pharmaceutical companies, as number of packs sold. Upon receipt, data are validated and converted into kg of active ingredient.
There was only 1 product authorised in the UK, Erythrocin 16.5% w/w Soluble Powder for Oral Solution for use in chickens. Please note that we do not hold this data prior to 2014. This product was withdrawn by the Marketing Authorisation Holder, so 2017 is the last year where we have sales reported.
| Year | Kg Antibiotic Active Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 139.92 |
| 2015 | 180.51 |
| 2016 | 149.79 |
| 2017 | 6.93 |