Animal Testing for Human Medicines

Statement from ICMRA on animal testing for human medicines
1 October 2026

ICMRA has adopted a joint statement calling on medicine developers, manufacturers, regulators and national control laboratories to continue to advance and implement alternative methods or approaches to animal testing throughout the lifecycle of human medicines, wherever, and as soon as possible. Meaningful progress in reducing animal use depends on the worldwide development and regulatory acceptance of scientifically valid, 3Rs-compliant approaches. Promoting international alignment and harmonisation of regulatory approaches through ICMRA are central to this effort.
The statement sets an ambitious long-term goal: to replace animal testing at every stage of a medicine’s lifecycle. Achieving this will require a careful shift to scientifically valid non-animal methods that regulators can accept, backed by strong evidence and close global collaboration.

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