Action plan for phasing out animal experiments in the pharmaceutical industry
- Press release
Pharmaceutical companies and animal welfare organizations publish joint phase-out plan
A new action plan for phasing out animal experiments has been presented by Eurogroup for Animals, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), and the pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Merck. The plan outlines how individual companies can actively drive the transition to animal-free methods – through clear commitment to phase out animal experiments, defined goals, greater transparency, and stronger cooperation within the industry. The nationwide association Doctors Against Animal Experiments, a member of Eurogroup for Animals, welcomes the plan and urges that the measures be implemented decisively to achieve the fastest possible phase-out of animal experiments.
The action plan is aimed directly at pharmaceutical companies and describes concrete steps to strategically implement the transition away from animal experiments. Companies are encouraged to publicly state their goal of phasing out animal experiments, develop internal action plans, and actively communicate them. In addition, the paper calls for making progress visible and sharing it within the scientific community.
Examples from the industry already demonstrate tangible approaches: Merck announced in 2021 its intention to reduce animal use by 75% by 2040, while Sanofi aims to cut animal use by 50% within ten years, both including external partners.
The action plan also highlights the importance of a comprehensive analysis of existing opportunities, challenges, and gaps in animal-free methods in order to drive progress in a targeted way. Equally crucial are collaboration and exchange between companies, researchers, and authorities, as well as between developers of new animal-free methods, their industrial users, and regulatory bodies. This is intended to accelerate the practical implementation of human-relevant approaches and promote their acceptance. Furthermore, data should be made more accessible without violating intellectual property rights, for example through secure data-sharing formats and international platforms. Companies are encouraged to publish case studies demonstrating the benefits, challenges, and range of applications of animal-free methods. Expanding infrastructure, disseminating expertise through regular training, and providing targeted financial support are also seen as key measures to accelerate development.
“The action plan shows that phasing out animal experiments is both feasible and achievable. What matters now is that companies set clear goals and follow through on them,” says Dr. Leah Haut, scientific advisor at Doctors Against Animal Experiments.
The organization calls on pharmaceutical companies to consistently and promptly implement the proposed measures and to establish the timely phase-out of animal experiments as a binding objective. In addition, policymakers and regulatory authorities must actively promote the use of modern, human-based methods and remove regulatory barriers.