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Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!
S. A. E. N.
"Exposing the truth to wipe out animal experimentation"

USDA Complaints

Letter to FDA Requesting Thorough Investigation of Practices at MPI Facility

Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!
1081-B St. Rt. 28 PMB 280
Milford, Ohio 45150
513-575-5517
www.saenonline.org   

10/12/07

Division of Scientific Investigations (HFD-45)
Office of Compliance
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
Food and Drug Administration
MPN 1, 7520 Standish Place, Room 103
Rockville, MD 20855

To Whom It May Concern,

I am contacting the Division of Scientific Investigations/Office of Compliance today to provide you with very disturbing information which has come to light regarding the MPI Research Laboratory in Mattawan, MI. This company is well-known for the testing of drugs and other substances for human use.

I have received information from an employee of this company that is extremely disturbing regarding the honesty and methodology of the testing within this facility.

We have been told that at this facility test substances are apparently often administered to incorrect animals/species. Additionally, due to the relative inexperience of the staff, substances are often administered improperly resulting in instant death for the animals used in the procedures.

Our MPI source also told us that very often the symptoms of distress in primates being used at MPI for the testing of drugs and other compounds are ignored until the animals are almost dead, in order that reporting of the apparent side effects of the testing compounds can be minimized to allow for passage into the human market. Additionally, we are told that compounds have been passed into the human market even when they have killed all or the majority of the primates used in the testing.

I have attached a statement of the totality of the information obtained from the MPI whistleblower. I believe that the information contained in this statement raises very serious concerns about the accuracy of the testing done at MPI as well as the experience levels of the staff and the enforcement of proper procedures by supervisory staff at this facility. Serious questions have also been raised about appropriate handling/disposal of toxic substances at MPI.

I hereby officially request that the FDA conduct a thorough investigation of all testing practices at MPI to insure that all laws and regulations are being followed to the letter. I also request to be information of the results of this investigation upon its completion.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T.,
Executive Director, SAEN

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