Online Issues

Journal Vol 49 (4)

Postapproval Monitoring and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

J.G. Collins

J.G. Collins, PhD, is Chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Professor of Anesthesiology at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. J.G. Collins, Chair, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Yale University, 300 George Street–6th Floor, New Haven, CT 06511 or email j.collins@yale.edu.

Abstract

Monitoring of the use of live vertebrate animals in research, teaching, and testing after approval of their use by an institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) are receiving increased attention in the laboratory animal community. In this article the author provides his opinions on the value of postapproval monitoring (PAM) to the overall self-regulation that is the responsibility of an IACUC. PAM must never supersede or replace federally mandated IACUC responsibilities, but an efficient PAM process can provide significant additional information that enables an institution to be confident that it is meeting both the letter and the spirit of the federal regulations developed to ensure humane animal care. PAM personnel should be excellent communicators and able to maintain a professional demeanor in challenging circumstances. Their knowledge of laboratory animal care, invasive procedures, and regulations will enable them to align the pursuit of scientific research with adherence to these regulations. An effective PAM program involves knowledgeable individuals who can, on behalf of the IACUC, monitor new procedures and personnel and provide IACUC-mandated training or retraining.

Key Words: institutional animal care and use committee; postapproval monitoring