Drug Ordering
In order to ensure the highest levels of animal welfare, the University of Michigan (U-M) Animal Care & Use Program requires the use of pharmaceutical-grade drugs, chemicals, biologics, and other substances whenever possible.
Links marked with a lock icon can only be accessed using valid U-M login credentials.
Any use of non pharmaceutical-grade substances, defined as those substances NOT approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in humans or animals, in animal-based research requires prior approval by the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC).
View the Policy on the Use of Non Pharmaceutical-Grade Drugs for more information.
Non-Controlled Substances
Non-controlled substances are drugs and other substances NOT regulated by the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
NOTE: Effective January 1, 2024, Study Teams needing to purchase non-controlled substances should enter an ePRO Requisition through M-Pathways to generate a purchase order after online access has been requested and granted for U-M’s preferred vendor, MWI Animal Health (MWI).
Detailed instructions on how to set up a new account with MWI are available on the Animal Care & Use Program’s website at animalcare.umich.edu/mwi-user-setupusing valid U-M login credentials.
Controlled Substances
The federal Controlled Substances Act defines and classifies drugs and other substances into five (5) controlled substance schedules (I – V) according to their potential for abuse and addiction. The substance’s schedule dictates the application process to use, and guidelines to follow, for security, storage, etc.
Investigators who require the use of controlled substances in their work with animals should review the U-M Controlled Substances in Research webpage for important information about the requirements for conducting such research at the University.
After registration with U-M’s Controlled Substances Program is complete, controlled substance orders can be placed through the U-M Order & Receive Controlled Substances for Research webpage.
Additional questions about research involving controlled substances at U-M, including institutional policies, questions about procedures, and general assistance should be directed to [email protected].
Use of Expired Drugs
Administration of expired drugs can adversely affect animals; therefore, NO expired fluids, vehicles, biologics, or drugs – including all anesthetics, analgesics, euthanasia agents, pharmaceuticals, therapeutics, and non-pharmaceutical grade drugs – can be administered to, or used in, animals for ANY experimental or veterinary procedure, including euthanasia or any procedure in which the animal is euthanized prior to recovery.
In order to ensure the health and safety of all animals, and to avoid any possible non-compliance notifications, the Animal Care & Use Office strongly recommends that each laboratory establish its own method and routine for reviewing the expiration dates of all of its drugs, and to properly dispose of any expired agents on a regular basis.
Questions about proper drug disposal should be directed to the U-M Department of Environment, Health & Safety at (734) 763-4568.
Learn more about the Policy on the Use, Storage, and Expiration of Substances, Agents, and Medical Materials Used in Animals or contact the Animal Care & Use Office at [email protected] for more information.
Related A-Z Documents
References and Resources
Questions?
Questions about research involving controlled substances should be directed to [email protected].