21st Century Cures Act: Update on Implementation

Audience: The program is tailored to IACUC staff, IACUC members, IOs, veterinarians, investigators, compliance personnel, animal care staff, and others involved in animal programs.

Speakers: Pat Brown, VMD, MS, NIH, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, Betty Goldentyer, DVM, USDA, APHIS, Animal Care, and Brianna Skinner, DVM, MPH, FDA, OCET, Office of the Commissioner

Topic: In this prerecorded webinar, NIH, USDA, and FDA representatives provide updates on the agencies’ progress in implementing the recommended measures of the 21^st Century Cures Act.

The 21st Century Cures Act, Section 2034(d), directed federal agencies to “complete a review of applicable regulations and policies for the care and use of laboratory animals and to make revisions, as appropriate, to reduce administrative burden on investigators while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research findings and the protection of research animals.” A report released in 2019 by a Working Group of NIH, USDA, and FDA representatives detailed the agencies’ plans to comply with the Act, including changing regulations and policy, improving coordination and harmonization, and developing new training and resources.

Note: While this information was accurate at the time presented, policies and procedures change over time. Past webinars may not contain the most current guidance. Please note, do not rely on webinars and associated materials as definitive compliance guidance for your specific situation. For compliance questions, please contact OLAW directly.

Update March 2024: USDA has provided updates to semiannual inspection requirements for USDA-covered species. Updates can be found in NOT-OD-24-075 and NOT-OD-24-076, which are available on the OLAW website at https://olaw.nih.gov/guidance/notices.htm