RESPONSIBILITY > INNOVATION > RESPONSIBLE RESEARCH
MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS
AbbVie is committed to ethical research in all aspects of our business. We maintain the highest standards of clinical practice in all of our research, including bioethics, clinical trial conduct, new technology use, and animal welfare. We are a responsible company, and we will operate ethically in every area of our business, in every corner of the globe.
BIOETHICS
Bioethics influences the complex interaction of human life, science and technology. AbbVie's bioethical principles are consistent with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. We believe bioethics is an important compass for any health care company's behavior, as it addresses principled issues involving the use of life sciences and technologies for the development and production of biotechnological and pharmaceutical products. We conduct our business in accordance with the highest standards of bioethics, and promote bioethical practices and procedures throughout all areas of our business. We have clear and strong bioethics policies and protocols in place at AbbVie. Our strict policies address:
- The welfare of our patients
- The conduct of clinical trials
- The treatment of animals
- The confidentiality of personal information
- The ethical use of new biological and medical knowledge
Biomedical Principles
Our biomedical principles are part of our strict corporate policies. These principles are focused on responsible pharmaceutical research including safeguarding the volunteers and patients who participate in clinical trials. We adhere to our strict principles and policies – even when local law stipulates a less robust approach. AbbVie has high standards of quality, safety and transparency at all stages, in all countries where we conduct trials.
ANIMAL WELFARE
AbbVie is committed to the highest standards of humane care and treatment of laboratory animals. Our laboratory animal research programs and facilities meet or exceed U.S. and European Union regulations, as well as those in other countries.
Animal testing remains an important part of advancing health care research, so AbbVie works to minimize the number and frequency of required tests. In fact, we have developed new testing methods and programs that minimize the need for animal participation. AbbVie's Corporate Animal Welfare Committee, composed of animal welfare experts from across the company, guides our position and policies on testing. Our established Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees serve as review boards that independently evaluate and approve our scientific protocols before any testing begins.
AbbVie has sought and maintained accreditation for all of our animal research programs from the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), the premier organization that helps ensure optimal animal care and use practices as set forth in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and other international standards and regulations for animal welfare. AAALAC
accreditation is entirely voluntary and is widely considered to be the best way to meet and maintain high standards of animal care.
Clinical research is a critical component of medical product development. For information about our clinical trials, postmarketing commitments and transparency policy click here.
