Norbrook, an animal medicines company based in Newry, recorded a £20m loss last year. A section of its factory closed for two months due to a failed inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The US represents Norbrook's largest market, requiring FDA audits alongside UK regulatory checks. The company achieved £200m in annual turnover during the year.

Issues occurred in the aseptic manufacturing suites, designed for contamination-free production. FDA inspectors issued a negative finding in April 2025, triggering a stop-sale order.

Norbrook upgraded the aseptic areas and retrained staff afterward. The Haughey family, company owners, provided £10m in funding to cover the shutdown period.

Norbrook sold rights to a feline medicine product to Virbac for £100m and will manufacture it under licence going forward.

Executive Chairman Liam Nagle described 2025 as a challenging year. Operational problems prevented meeting market demand, he stated. Management introduced measures to address the issues, with the board expecting better performance in the second half of the 2026 financial year.