May materials that are past their expiration date be used in research involving animals?
No – for survival procedures. The use of expired medical materials such as drugs, fluids, or sutures on regulated animals is not considered to be acceptable veterinary practice and does not constitute adequate veterinary care as required by the regulations promulgated under the Animal Welfare Act. Therefore, for survival procedures, these materials are not appropriate. Maybe – For acute terminal procedures. UDSA/APHIS does not oppose the use of expired medical materials if their use does not adversely affect the animal’s well-being or compromise the validity of the scientific study. It is up each investigator to document the lack of adverse affects and to include description in their animal activities protocols. More detailed descriptions of this and other related issues may be found in the Animal Welfare Act, Section 13, 9 CFR, Part 2, Sections 2.31, 2.32, 2.33, 2.40, 9 CFR, Part 3, Section 3.110.
Related Questions
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- May materials that are past their expiration date be used in research involving animals?
