Rationale: 
The use of non-pharmaceutical grade medication in animals is inconsistent with good veterinary practice. UT Southwestern promotes good veterinary practice and appropriate animal care.

Definitions:
A pharmaceutical-grade medication is a drug marketed for human or veterinary use.

Policy:
Investigators must use pharmaceutical grade medications whenever they are available, in all animal procedures.

All controlled substances must be logged and secured regardless of grade.  

Applicability:
All medications used directly in research animal procedures.

Instructions:
When writing an animal protocol, select pharmaceutical-grade medications for use in all animal procedures.  If a non-pharmaceutical grade medication must be used, please state in the protocol why it is necessary to use the medication based on scientific necessity and nonavailability of a veterinary or human pharmaceutical-grade medication.

If non-pharmaceutical grade medications are used, they must be prepared and maintained in a sterile manner.  The container must be labeled with the drug name, concentration, and date of preparation.

If you are asking to use non-pharmaceutical grade medications on an already approved protocol, please submit a memorandum to the IACUC requesting an exemption.

Exceptions:
Any use of non-pharmaceutical grade medications must be approved by the IACUC.

Contact Information:
For any additional questions concerning this policy, please contact the IACUC Manager at 5-6420.