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Monday, February 5, 2007
While non-human primates remain an essential element of medicines development,
pharmaceutical companies use them only when there is no other possible alternative,
and there needs to be continued emphasis on reducing and replacing their use
whenever possible, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)
said today in a response to an announcement by the National Centre for the Replacement,
Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).
“As science, technology and knowledge move on, we work to replace the use of
non-human primates wherever possible. The NC3Rs has developed a significant programme
challenging the use of primates, and using science to provide alternatives and enhance
drug discovery,” said Dr Philip Wright, ABPI Director of Science and Technology.
“This is a key element of the industry’s work programme with the centre, but the
use of primates is still necessary in certain areas to ensure that new and advanced
medicines can be produced to benefit patients. We hope we can continue to reduce and
replace such use as science moves forward.”
The ABPI fully supports the NC3Rs through a joint programme which has been developed
in close consultation with member companies.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Ley (office) 020 7747 1410 (mobile) 07715 169727
Matt Worrall (work) 020 7747 1441 (mobile) 07879 404306
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