Drug testing still needs animals

After a wide-ranging European review, many laboratories are still allowed to continue using animals for drug research. To test the safety of drugs, people still have to use the mouse.

Testing on animals is an extremely sensitive issue. In particular, many UK groups have organized protests against companies and individuals involved in the use of laboratory animals.

Every year, medical research activities still need millions of lab animals. However, scientists say they will end the tests of accurate toxin parameters - design deadly doses for test animals. This is an important first step to reduce the burden that test animals are suffering.

Every year, medical research activities still need millions of lab animals.(Artwork: Reuters)

In fact, Europe uses only half a million mice a year in testing lethal doses of new drugs, accounting for 4% of all animals for experimental purposes.

Ignoring the fatal dose test, about 15,000 mice will be saved every year.

' We also realized that this reduction represents only a very small part, but this is an important step for orientation, ' said lead leader Sally Robinson, of the Swiss Pharmaceutical Group, AstraZeneca Plc.

The program of testing the effects of drugs on animals still plays an important role. Robinson and his colleagues concluded that a single test of lethal doses was too outdated, because now the process of developing a new drug has changed a lot. Therefore, this test step is not necessary before testing on humans.

A total of 18 pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and the National Center for Replacement, Screening and Reduction of Animal Use in the United Kingdom study (Britain's National Center for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals printed Research - NC3Rs) searched for evidence in their studies published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology in 2003 - 2007.

The next step is to change the drug testing process. In fact, many companies have cut tests despite not colliding with regulations.

In general, pharmaceutical companies participating in the review only need to reduce the use of animals at a trial dose of about 70%. This is really a great potential in reducing the number of animals participating in experiments worldwide.

Many major pharmaceutical manufacturers in the world are considered, including: GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Novartis AG, Roche Holding AG, Sanofi-Aventis SA and Pfizer Inc.

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