I finally have some information that may be of use. This afternoon, I called Carrington Labs and told them the whole story of how I had been trying to get information about this Acemannan audit. I told them that since people were unable to get accurate information and that no one could buy the product, people were starting to speculate that there was something wrong with the product or that there had been some kind of contamination. After I told them that, they put me in touch with Kirk Mares the head of the veterinary division of Carrington Labs - a very nice, courteous and helpful man.
Here is what happened and what is going on to the best of my understanding.
What happened is very typical of dealing with government red tape. As you know, Acemannan is a very new product on the market. It does fall under the USDA biologics department. Carrington Labs followed all of the prodacol for the approval process and had all of the appropriate tests performed as part of that process. It turns out, however, that when the USDA did a routine audit, they discovered that one of the tests had been performed by an outside agency - one that was very reputable but nontheless, the test was performed off the premisis of Carrington Labs. As a result - the USDA said - whoa! Stop everything until we have this test performed in house and evaluate the results....something that was a technicality - something that should have been done as part of the initial approval process. So - the audit was routine...stopping the sales wasn't so routine.
The test was completed yesterday (I don't know which test it was)...and the results are in and everything is in order and meets or exceeds what is required. The USDA expidited the process and made a great effort to do a turn-around on this product in a matter of weeks (rather than the usual months that it takes). Carrington Labs is waiting to receive the official documentation from the USDA that says - "All is well - proceed"..and as soon as they get that, then they can release the hold on sales. Kirt Mares said that they expect this to happen around the first of November and that he will call me...but if I haven't heard from him by the 10th - to call him.
Now -- here's the rub: In the mean time while all of this was going on - Acemannan was not being manufactured...they couldn't without that piece of paper from the USDA. SO -- when the block on sales is released, you can buy Acemannan from the stock of current distributors...but there won't be a release of newly manufactured Acemannan until January....so if you want some - when the block is removed....you better scarf it up.
Mr. Mares (I hope I am spelling that correctly) said that they are working on a veterinary application of Manopol that will be available from the same sources that is an oral supplement in powder form. It has been tested on cats and dogs with very good results. It is considered an immunostimulant. Currently Manopol (for people) is available in three strengths and I think it is the lowest strength of Manapol that has been tested on animals. If I am not mistaken, you can buy this without a prescrciption. He said that he sent Dr. Nicholson at Veterinary Products Laboratories a lot of information about the Manapol yesterday.
Mr. Mares also told me that the big guru on Acemannan who has been most instrumental in the study of this product lives in Austin, TX. His name is Dr. Greg Biehl and the name of the clinc where he works is Brykerwood.
Carrington Labs was very helpful and professional on the phone...not just Mr. Mares but also the customer service representative who initially answered the phone. What I liked about him was that if he didn't know something - he would tell me to hang on a minute and he would actually go and hunt down that information. He found out exactly who I should talk to and transferred me and gave me the extension just in case we got disconnected. If all companies had that level of customer service, the world would be a better place. I feel confident that we got the real scoop on things from Carrington.
I hope this is helpful to you. I am very glad to finally understand what is going on.
love and kitty head butts,
elizabeth
*Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.*
