Alerts

Dispensing of Controlled Drugs
Transporting Animals out of Barrier Facility
Reporting Animal Concerns

Dispensing of Controlled Drugs

The Drug Enforcement Administration has reviewed the Department of Comparative Medicine's procedure for dispensing controlled drugs and has informed us that we are not in compliance with the federal controlled substance regulations.  Effective immediately, the Department of Comparative Medicine will no longer dispense any controlled drugs.  This includes drugs such as ketamine (Ketaset), pentobarbital (Nembutal), butorphanol (Torbugesic), diazepam (Valium), fentanyl, and other similar narcotic and non-narcotic drugs.  All research investigators who use any controlled drugs in animals must have a Federal DEA registration and comply with the University's Controlled Substance Policy.

Research DEA registration applications (DEA form 225) can be requested by phone at 1-800-882-9539 by selecting option 3 from the automated menu.

Purchase or acquisition of controlled drugs for use in animals can be made through the Bowld Pharmacy or the following distributors.

Henry Schein, Inc.                800-552-8387
The Butler Company            800-258-2148
AmeriSource                        800-846-2742

In order to establish an account with these vendors, you must present a copy of your DEA registration.  Per the UT controlled substance policy, the Bowld Hospital Pharmacy must approve all purchases for controlled substances.  Federal DEA regulations require each investigator who acquires and maintains any controlled substance for research purposes to be responsible for securing those controlled sububstances and record keeping.  Should you have any questions regarding the requirements for controlled substances or research registration process, contract Drug Enforcement Administration's Nashville Office at 1-615-736-2559.
 
 

• Animals will be placed into a clean cage with microisolator tops.
• Clean cages will be placed onto a clean cart
• The cart will be covered by a plastic bag
• Everything will be sprayed with Clidox solution

Only after the above requirements have been fulfilled will animals be allowed to leave the barrier facility.

Have Concerns Regarding Animal Care or Treatment?

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is strongly committed to the humane care and treatment of all animals used for research and teaching. Our animal care and use program is governed by Federal Guidelines for the care and use of animals. The Animal Care and Use Committee oversees the entire program and reviews and approves all animal related studies. Since 1993, the UTHSC animal care and use program has been accredited by AAALAC, the highest endorsement for excellence. If you observe or have knowledge of activities that you believe constitute inappropriate animal care or use, you are encouraged to report these activities so that they can be investigated. UTHSC has policies and procedures in place in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, NIH and PHS guidelines to investigate and remediate any animal care or use issues. The Animal Welfare Act specifically states that

“no facility employee, committee member, or laboratory personnel shall be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations of any regulation or standards under the Act”

The best way to address an animal care or use concern is directly. Sometimes unfamiliar research activities may be misinterpreted as painful or distressful. Frank discussion may clear up misunderstandings. If you do not wish to speak to the people involved directly (investigator, technicians, students), please call any of the following numbers to discuss your concerns. Your confidentiality will be respected to the best of our abilities.

Dr. Kari Blaho, Director, Institutional Animal Care and Use 448-3533
Dr. Tim Mandrell, Chairman, Dept of Comparative Medicine 448-5656

Sincerely,

UTHSC Animal Care and Use Committee 2002