GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County company that makes one of the world's most popular pet medications stands accused of deceiving vets, animal owners and the government.
In a whistle-blower lawsuit, a former top company scientist said vets didn't get the whole story.
"Truth doesn't have an agenda. The truth is the truth," Dr. Kari Blaho-Owens told Channel 2's Jim Strickland.
Blaho-Owens is a former compliance scientist at Duluth-based Merial LTD. Her lawsuit claims the company "fraudulently and corruptly" withheld information that the Heartgard heartworm preventative doesn't always work.
READ: Complaint Against Duluth-based Merial LTD
"It is about remaining competitive, which translates into profit," said Blaho-Owens.
After consumers filed a class-action lawsuit about the product in 2009, Blaho-Owens said she refused an order from a superior to shred evidence in the case.
"I remember how sick I felt when I was ordered to do that and how sick I felt when I would not, could not do that," said Blaho-Owens. She claims the refusal led to her eventual firing.
Blaho-Owens said a supervisor told her to hush her own study that showed Heartgard had a 20 percent failure rate.
"It's withholding the truth, and it's wrong."
Marietta veterinarian Dr. Michael Good said dog owners should use a mosquito repellent along with Heartgard for the best prevention of heartworm infestation. He said he figured the drug failed sometimes, but not one out of five times.
"I'm very shocked that it's 20 percent of the cases in this study," said Good, referring to Blaho-Owens' numbers.
Dog owner Jill Pitchard said based on her experience, she'll stick with the product.
"I've never heard of any incidence where that was a reoccurrence or a first instance of contracting heartworm (with Heartgard)," she said.
Merial emailed Strickland the following statement:
"Merial is aware of the lawsuit filed against the company by former employee, Kari Blaho-Owens. As a matter of company policy, we do not comment on the details of pending litigation or on employee-related issues. However, Merial believes we have acted appropriately and responsibly in all matters related to the allegations. Merial will vigorously defend the case and will assert strong defenses to the claims made. An earlier complaint filed by this former employee has already been dismissed by the United States Department of Labor."
"Merial stands by the effectiveness of our products. We are confident that the HEARTGARD® (ivermectin) brands are highly effective when used in accordance with their FDA-approved labels. Moreover, Merial strictly adheres to all regulations relating to the reporting of adverse events involving any Merial product."