MSD Animal Health has been granted European regulatory approval for a convenient new tablet-based treatment for dogs suffering from flea and tick infestations.

Following a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP), the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation to Bravecto, a groundbreaking range of chewable tablets that act as systemic insecticides and acaricides.

This is the first and only treatment that has been shown to quickly and effectively kill fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks in a single dose. It was developed in cooperation with clinical veterinarians and animal health professionals.

Bravecto will be launched in Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands and the UK in April 2014, before being introduced in additional European countries in the following months.

David Hallas, associate vice-president of MSD Animal Health, said: "Now veterinarians and pet owners have a highly effective treatment option that works quickly and lasts longer than the currently available once-monthly treatment options."

This comes after the firm last week received a CVMP recommendation for EU approval of Panacur AquaSol, a water-administered dewormer for poultry.