Lilly is dedicated to the discovery and development of the highest quality products that improve the health and well-being of people and animals around the world. We are committed to the careful and thorough evaluation of our products using the best scientific technologies available. Meeting this commitment requires the use of animals. We recognize that we have an ethical and scientific obligation to ensure the appropriate treatment of animals used in research.
Lilly expects its employees and all individuals and organizations with which Lilly contracts for animal research services or the supply of animals to be used in Lilly research to:
- comply with all applicable country and local laws, regulations, and standards regarding the care and use of animals, and
- apply the Lilly animal care and use principles stated below, even if they impose requirements beyond the applicable local requirements.
Animal Care – Living conditions for research animals must be appropriate for their species and contribute to their health and well-being. Personnel who care for animals or who conduct animal studies must be appropriately qualified regarding the proper care and use of animals in research.
Studies – Studies involving animals must be designed and conducted in accordance with applicable country and local regulatory guidance, and the following widely recognized principles of animal care and use:
- with due consideration of the relevance of the study to human or animal health and the advancement of scientific knowledge
- selecting only animals appropriate for that study
- using only the minimum number of animals required to obtain valid results
- using alternative methods instead of live animals when appropriate
- avoiding or minimizing discomfort and distress to the animals.
Lilly will periodically assess adherence to the above requirements.
Lilly also actively encourages animal research and animal supply companies, both inside and outside the United States, to obtain and maintain accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). Through active engagement, Lilly is helping to raise the standards of animal care and use in countries that have not had such standards or enforced them.
