Medicines must be safe. Currently, safety is mainly tested through animal research. New knowledge and technologies enable animal-free research methods. RIVM actively contributes these developments. RIVM also advises on how such animal-free methods can replace animal testing for regulatory purposes. The aim is to improve the safety and health of humans, animals and the environment.
Inclusion into guidelines
In order to be used in the safety assessment of medicinal products, new research methods must be adopted into guidelines. This is a complex process involving many stakeholders. RIVM, together with the Medicines Evaluation Board, has created an overview of the necessary steps in this process: the Landscape for New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for safety assessment of pharmaceutical products. Understanding these steps is essential to promote the use of new testing methods.
Development of new research methods
RIVM works on various research projects to develop new research methods for the safety assessment of chemicals and medicines, such as within Ombion - Center for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation and the VHP4Safety project. A complete overview of RIVM activities on this topic can be found on the Alternatives to animal testing webpage.