FDA Acts on Buchanan-Led Reforms to End Animal Testing
WASHINGTON — Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a historic plan to phase out animal testing for monoclonal antibody therapies and other drugs in favor of advanced, human-relevant alternatives:
“I am proud to see the FDA taking action to phase out animal testing following the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 being signed into law and the subsequent introduction of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, bills I was honored to help lead. For years, I have advocated for the adoption of modern, humane alternatives that improve drug safety and protect animals from unnecessary suffering. This announcement marks a victory for innovation and will lead to faster, more accurate and cost-effective drug development that will deliver safe and effective treatments to patients,” said Buchanan.
The FDA’s plan will implement non-animal methods that utilize cutting-edge technology such as AI-based modeling and human cell lines to reduce the use of animals in drug testing and development. The new approach aims to enhance drug safety and speed up the evaluation process, while minimizing animal testing, reducing development costs and ultimately lowering drug prices.
Buchanan, who co-chairs the Animal Protection Caucus in Congress, is a leading advocate for protecting endangered species and ending animal cruelty. In the 117th Congress, Buchanan’s FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was signed into law, ending an antiquated government requirement that animal testing must be used to determine a drug’s human efficacy. He is also a two-time recipient of the Humane Society’s “Legislator of the Year” award, winning the award in 2015 and 2020.
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