MUSC initiates post-approval monitoring for animal use (PAMA)

MUSC initiates post-approval monitoring for animal use (PAMA)

As the regulations governing the use of animals in biomedical research have increased in complexity and detail, the regulatory obligations of investigators and the institutional requirements to provide oversight of have increased. A growing number of institutions are establishing new programs to help the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) in monitoring the conduct of animal-based research as well as proactively assist investigators in observing good practices.

At MUSC Dr. John Raymond, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost (VPAA), the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR), the Office of Compliance, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) have worked with the IACUC to establish a program to monitor the proper use and care of vertebrate animals in the research activities of MUSC investigators. In this regard, Wayne R. Fitzgibbon, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Nephrology), recently joined the Office of Compliance to develop tools and procedures for a Post-Approval Monitoring of Animal Use (PAMA) program.

Within the institutional PAMA program, Dr. Fitzgibbon will be the Animal Research Compliance Liaison between the IACUC and investigators (as well as individuals who utilize animals in their laboratories) to ensure that the highest level of animal care is maintained and that all research involving animals continues to be conducted with appropriate IACUC review and approval.. For more information please contact Dr. Fitzgibbon at 792-4123 or fitzgiwr@musc.edu.

Source: Email announcement, December 6, 2006