PETA accuses Pfizer of denying animal testing pledge
them of also trying to avoid US animal welfare laws by exporting
its animal testing to countries with no or poor animal welfare
standards.
This latest development closely follows up PETA's scrutiny of Eli Lilly, who are also accused of the same actions and directly contradicts both drug makers stated commitment to reducing, refining, and replacing its use of animals. The outsourcing of animal testing to China has recently come under the spotlight in a recent article in Forbes magazine where it states that, "scientists are cheap, lab animals plentiful, and pesky protesters held at bay." The article also cited a pharmaceutical industry executive who, "admits that Chinese testing companies lack quality control and high standards on treatment." The Asian outsourcing industry, particularly animal testing in China, has gained popularity in recent years because of the unique approach countries take in research and development. Indeed, recent legal reform, raised manufacturing standards and reduced bureaucracy have made the region highly attractive to its western counterparts, who are always looking to cut costs without sacrificing quality of work. PETA's concern of the region's rise in popularity has resulted in a recent appeal to US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, who was sent a letter urging him to pressure the Chinese government to institute basic welfare laws governing the use of animals in laboratory experiments. Included in Secretary Gutierrez's entourage of more than two dozen US business leaders was a representative of Eli Lilly. In the letter, dated November 16th, Jessica Sandler, director of regulatory testing division, research and investigations, stated that: "as you promote the expansion of American businesses into China, you also insist that China institute basic animal welfare laws for animals used in laboratory experiments." "It recently has been reported that you are encouraging pharmaceutical companies, particularly Eli Lilly, to expand their businesses into China. Are you aware that companies may be sending their animal testing abroad in order to circumvent US animal welfare laws?" PETA Senior Vice President Mary Beth Sweetland commented that if pharmaceutical companies were oblivious to the rampant animal abuse going on at a major contract laboratory in the US, how would they guarantee that animals aren't abused at laboratories in China? "Pfizer shareholders deserve an explanation for this move and a guarantee that research will be held to US standards, at the very least," she added.
