Ending Drug Ingredient Animal Tests Gains Steam In US Due To Unreliable Human Toxicity Predictions

Researchers testing OTCs, supplements and cosmetics seek in vitro test alternatives as animal toxicity tests aren’t strong indicators for humans, says consultant John Harbell. At CHPA conference, he says half of drug failures in clinical trials are due to toxicity in humans despite animal tests showing safety.

Small experimental mouse is on the laboratory researcher's hand

Toxicity testing with animals still is used for many OTC drug, dietary supplement and cosmetic ingredients even though the results often don’t extrapolate to humans. That failure, says toxicology and product safety consultant John Harbell, is leading industry and US regulators to accelerate their search for testing alternatives.

Speaking during the Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s Regulatory, Scientific & Quality Conference on 1 September, Harbell suggested the drive in...