About ICAPPP

The International Council on Animal Protection in Pharmaceuticals (ICAPPP) was formally created in 2005 as a natural extension of ICAPO.

ICAPPP has the same members, aims and same method of working as ICAPO. (LINK TO WHO WE ARE)

ICAPPP works to fully incorporate alternative methods that can replace, reduce, and refine animal use (the "Three Rs") in ICH/VICH activities, in the interest of animal protection, public health and sound science.

ICAPO brings the views of more than 30 million members and supporters throughout Asia, Europe, and North America to the table, along with considerable scientific and legal expertise in the use (and alternatives to the use) of animals in testing in these regions.

ICH and VICH are the international harmonisation bodies in the area of human and veterinary medicines respectively: The

International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) was formed in 1990 as a voluntary tri-partite coalition made up of the human medicines regulatory bodies for the USA, Japan and Europe along with their respective industry associations. In 2015 the ICH was established more formally as an international association under Swiss law. ICH's mission is to achieve greater harmonisation worldwide to ensure that safe, effective, and high quality medicines are developed and registered in the most resource-efficient manner. Harmonisation is achieved through the development of ICH Guidelines via a process of scientific consensus with regulatory and industry experts.

The International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH) is a similar body to ICH with a similar structure and membership. It is a trilateral (EU-Japan-USA) programme, formed in 1996, aimed at harmonising technical requirements for veterinary product registration. The role of VICH is to harmonise technical requirements for data necessary for the marketing authorisation (also called “registration”) of a veterinary medicinal product. This is achieved by developing harmonised guidelines on the studies to be submitted in a marketing authorisation application.

The work of ICAPPP is accomplished by members of the coalition cooperating towards a common goal of reducing, refining, and replacing the use of animals in regulatory toxicity testing, by working with international bodies through established channels. One member acts as the secretariat of the group, see CONTACT US

Unfortunately neither the ICH nor VICH recognise stakeholders in a formal capacity (their membership is made up of solely regional regulators and industry bodies). We are however recognised as interested party to both organisations. We are able to contribute to their harmonisation activities by:

  • Commenting on draft guidelines and work plans
  • Attending update meetings held in their respective regions

Our members also participate in meetings and comment on regional guidelines in their respective regions.