New tests could reduce need for animal research
New alternative methods of drug testing that could save up to 200,000 rabbits a year have been unveiled by the European Commission. The six tests detect potential fever-causing agents (pyrogens) in drugs by using human blood cells instead of rabbits.
New alternative methods of drug testing that could save up to 200,000 rabbits a year have been unveiled by the European Commission. The six tests detect potential fever-causing agents (pyrogens) in drugs by using human blood cells instead of rabbits.
They have been developed by an EU-supported research team, involving national control laboratories, test developers, and pharmaceutical companies.
The Commission claims that the new methods will save rabbits from being used to test for pyrogens in non-oral drugs. EU research Commissioner Philippe Busquin said: 'The EU's validation of these new test-ing methods will encourage their broad take-up by industry, ensure drug safety and quality, and reduce the use of animal research.'