# Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products, Division 3.2: Repeat-dose toxicity

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

Repeat-dose toxicity tests are intended to reveal any physiological and/or pathological changes induced by repeated administration of the active substance or combination of active substances under examination, and to determine how these changes are related to dosage.
In the case of pharmacologically active substances or veterinary medicinal products intended solely for use in non-food-producing animals, a repeat-dose toxicity study in one species of experimental animal shall normally be sufficient. This study may be replaced by a study conducted in the target animal. The frequency and route of administration, and the duration of the study shall be chosen having regard to the proposed conditions of clinical use. The investigator shall give his reasons for the extent and duration of the trials and the dosages chosen.
In the case of substances or veterinary medicinal products intended for use in food-producing animals, repeat-dose (90 day) toxicity testing shall be performed in a rodent and a non-rodent species in order to identify target organs and toxicological endpoints and identify the appropriate species and the dose levels to be used in chronic toxicity testing, if appropriate.
The investigator shall give his reasons for the choice of species, having regard to the available knowledge of the metabolism of the product in animals and man. The test substance shall be administered orally. The investigator shall clearly state and give his reasons for the method and frequency of administration and the length of the trials.
The maximum dose should normally be selected so as to bring harmful effects to light. The lowest dose level should not produce any evidence of toxicity.
Evaluation of the toxic effects shall be based on observation of behaviour, growth, haematology and physiological tests, especially those relating to the excretory organs, and also on autopsy reports and accompanying histological data. The choice and range of each group of tests depends on the species of animal used and the state of scientific knowledge at the time.
In the case of new combinations of known substances which have been investigated in accordance with the provisions of this Directive, the repeat-dose tests may, except where toxicity tests have demonstrated potentiation or novel toxic effects, be suitably modified by the investigator, who shall submit his reasons for such modifications.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudr/2001/82/annex/I/title/I/part/3/division/A/chapter/I/division/3/division/3.2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2001-82/annex-I/title-I/part-3/division-A/chapter-I/division-3/division-3.2
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.