Many thanks to those who contacted me about animal testing.
Animal research still plays a role in providing vital safety information for potential new medicines. It is worth remembering that, as a result of findings from animal studies, a large number of potential new drugs never get as far as being tested in humans. Some aspects of the toxicological assessment of new medicines cannot be adequately assessed in humans, and animal data will be the only kind available.
Without animal testing it is highly likely that a large number of potentially dangerous new medicines would be tested in healthy volunteers and patients in clinical trials, and I know Ministers believe that this would be quite unacceptable. It is worth noting that animal testing is required by all global medicines regulators, including the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the EU’s European Medicines Agency. I am glad that the number of procedures involving animals has fallen year-on-year since 2015 with over 80 per cent of procedures having a zero to mild impact on the animal.
Importantly, animals are only used when there are no suitable alternatives, and by encouraging new cutting-edge approaches to science we will ensure that standards of animal welfare are improved. I am opposed to animal tests where alternative approaches could be used.
Unfortunately I could not attend the debate on the 25th October, but I remain committed to supporting the Government with their world-leading animal welfare regulations.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
