Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs saved approximately 1,500 animals and $1.8 million by waiving the use of animals in six toxicity studies. Monique Perron, Sc.D., from EPA, said that going forward, similar waivers will help the agency achieve its goal of reducing animal study requests and funding by 30% over the next several years (see sidebar of this November 2019 Environmental Factor article).

Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., from FDA, highlighted efforts by leaders at her agency. “The Office of the Chief Scientist was able to bring in representatives from every single product center to work on alternatives,” she said. “We are accountable to the Office of the Commissioner every year to [show] what we’re doing.” In the last two years, FDA published six guidance documents that promote reduction of animal use in drug safety testing.