Kennedy, Paul introduce bill to improve drug safety and reduce animal testing

Press Release

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in introducing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Modernization Act to end animal testing mandates on drug makers, allowing them to use testing methods that would improve the safety and effectiveness of drugs. Testing experimental medicines on animals has been shown ineffective for preventing certain side effects in humans.

"Testing new drugs on animals is often risky for both animals and people. The FDA Modernization Act would allow drug producers to improve safety by using more modern, humane and effective testing. I want Louisianians to get the best medicines as quickly and safely as possible, and I'm thankful to work with Sen. Paul to protect our furry friends at the same time," said Kennedy.

"The FDA Modernization Act would accelerate innovation and get safer, more effective drugs to market more quickly by cutting red tape that is not supported by current science. It would also prevent the needless suffering and death of animal test subjects--which is something I think both Republican and Democrats can agree needs to end," said Paul.

Current law requires drug makers to conduct animal testing to determine the safety and efficacy of drugs developed for humans. Animal testing, however, can be inefficient and problematic because some drugs that appear safe for animals are not safe for humans. This legislation would not altogether ban animal testing, but it would allow drug sponsors to use alternatives to animal testing when appropriate.

The FDA Modernization Act would allow drug producers to use alternative testing methods to verify a drug's safety and efficiency, including sophisticated computer models and testing methods based on human biology rather than animal biology. This legislation would help make drugs more affordable, reduce the number of animal deaths during testing and get medicines to market sooner.

Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) are also co-sponsors of the bill.

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