Animal Welfare
Baxter supports the conscientious use of animals in research when no other valid scientific alternative exists. In many cases Baxter is legally required by health authorities worldwide to use animals in the development and testing process. To the extent possible, Baxter will minimize the use of animals in research and, where utilized, will treat them humanely and with the highest standards of care.
Baxter's animal facilities and programs meet all local, national and transnational laws and regulations (as verified by regular inspections by those authorities/agencies), and operate in accordance with relevant international guidelines, including:
- U.S. Animal Welfare Act Standards;
- Health Research Extension Act (based on The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals);
- Directive 86/609/EEC, Council Animal Protection Directive; and
- CIOMS (WHO), International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals.
Licensed, certified and accredited veterinary professionals operate the company's animal facilities, which are overseen by animal use and care committees or local authorities, and are required to include at least one representative unaffiliated with Baxter. These teams oversee animal care and welfare, and review and approve research and testing protocols to guarantee that the information derived is essential and to ensure minimal pain and distress to animals used.
Research and testing animals are sourced only through special breeders or suppliers that our veterinary professionals carefully select and regularly monitor. Contract research organizations Baxter uses must follow similar animal care and welfare standards, and the company's veterinary professionals review and monitor these organizations to ensure compliance.
Baxter is committed to using and developing alternative protocols and methodologies that eliminate or reduce animals required for research and testing. In the United States, Baxter is working with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, an external standards setting organization with a mission to look for alternatives to animal testing.
