Colorado company ordered in US District Court in Abingdon to forfeit $46 million

A Colorado-based company that specializes in obtaining prescription medications that are distributed in veterinary products for a variety of animals including livestock has been ordered to pay an eight-figure settlement in US District Court in Abingdon.

Animal Health International and its parent company Patterson Companies will forfeit $46 million, pay Virginia health officials $1 million in settlements as well as settle a $5 million fine.

The company pleaded guilty in February to misbranding drugs that resulted in the unauthorized sale and use of medications along with creating a potential danger to the public by consuming food produced from animals that could lead to humans becoming resistant to antibodies, according to the report.