# FTC Sues to Block $3.5B Veterinary Merger

On November 13, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission and a multistate coalition of attorneys general sued to block Covetrus’s proposed **$3.5 billion** acquisition of MWI Veterinary Supply from parent Cencora. The complaint alleges the combination could reduce competition in veterinary-product distribution, affecting prices and service; the transaction remains proposed, and the allegations have not been adjudicated. Public-sector buyers and contractors that rely on veterinary-supply distributors should account for possible changes to supplier competition without treating the deal as completed.

- **Why this matters:** The case signals active antitrust scrutiny of consolidation among suppliers, which may affect competition and purchasing options in veterinary-product markets.
- Organizations purchasing veterinary supplies can assess their reliance on Covetrus or MWI and consider how a change in market structure could affect sourcing and service, while the proposed transaction remains unresolved.
- The FTC’s action is relevant to companies evaluating acquisitions in adjacent supply markets, which may face competition review and litigation risk.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** November 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- State attorneys general joining the complaint
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

### Vendors
- Covetrus Inc. (proposed acquirer)
- MWI Animal Health (MWI Veterinary Supply Inc.) (acquisition target)
- Cencora Inc. (parent company of MWI)

### Sources
- [FTC Sues to Block Veterinary Supplies Distributor Covetrus’s $3.5 Billion Acquisition of Rival MWI | Federal Trade Commission](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/11/ftc-sues-block-veterinary-supplies-distributor-covetruss-35-billion-acquisition-rival-mwi) - FTC