ICMRA calls for global action to advance use of non-animal testing approaches in medicines

The International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) has published a joint statement calling for the accelerated development, validation, and regulatory acceptance of non-animal approaches across the entire lifecycle of human medicines. Developed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Irish Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), and Swissmedic, and adopted by the ICMRA plenary, the statement encourages medicine developers to use scientifically robust, non-animal methods that are acceptable within a regulatory framework, while calling on regulators worldwide to support and facilitate their uptake. A particular focus is placed on batch release testing, where ICMRA notes that replacing animal tests could deliver substantial reductions in the number of animals used in tests.

The coalition calls on regulators to promote non-animal methods, challenge manufacturers’ proposals that use animals, and review existing animal testing requirements. ICMRA’s position reinforces growing international momentum towards replacing animal testing with modern, scientifically advanced methods.

Read the statement here.