Pubdate: Mon, 03 Dec 2012
Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2012 The Dominion Post
Contact:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550

LETHAL DOSE TEST WON'T BE USED FOR PARTY PILLS

Testing of party pills on animals remains an option but Associate
Health Minister Peter Dunne has ruled out using a "barbaric and
disgusting" test where doses of the drug increase until half the test
group dies.

The lethal dose (LD50) test is banned in Britain and is not recognised
by the OECD.

Mr Dunne initially said it was "unavoidable" that party pills would be
tested on animals, including dogs. But he confirmed yesterday that the
LD50 test would not be used, labelling it barbaric and disgusting.

"I have further made it clear there have been no decisions on other
forms of animal tests and I have directed officials to look at
alternatives," Mr Dunne said.

Animal testing would remain an option but Mr Dunne stressed there was
a long process of consultation to undertake.

Novel recreational drugs, or party pills, are exempt from the rules
applied to pharmaceutical companies, which must prove drugs are safe
for human use.

Until now, it has been up to the Government to prove party pills are
unsafe but it wants to change the law, putting the burden on
manufacturers to prove the pills will not cause harm.

According to a Health Ministry report, "Regulations governing the
control of novel psychoactive drugs", outlining what testing would be
needed under the law change, a designer drug "must" go through
pre-clinical animal studies and it is "critical" to show a drug is
safe for animals before it can be given to humans.

"At the study's completion, animals are sacrificed and tissues from
all organ systems examined," the paper said.

Mr Dunne had said: "The Government is committed to minimal use of
animal testing, but the hard truth is that scientifically, animal
testing is unavoidable to prove that products are safe for human beings."

The news has disgusted animal rights advocates.

Green Party MP Mojo Mathers also described it as "barbaric".

"I really encourage people who feel that testing of party pills on
dogs and other animals is unethical to speak out against this proposal."

SPCA Auckland chief executive Bob Kerridge also urged New Zealanders
to force officials into banning the trials.

"Any test at all for this product on animals is, quite frankly,
abhorrent," Mr Kerridge said.

"This is a product that is of no benefit to humans. In addition to
doing considerable harm to the animals, it has no beneficial outcome
whatsoever. Therefore, [the testing] should not be allowed."

Legislation detailing the testing regime will be voted on early next
year, following select committee debate that will allow for a period
of public consultation.
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MAP posted-by: Matt