The status of postapproval monitoring operation by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee in Korea

TL;DR

This study explores how postapproval monitoring for animal research is implemented in Korea, highlighting challenges and potential improvements.

Contribution

The paper provides insights into the operational status and challenges of PAM in Korea, suggesting a hybrid monitoring model for better oversight.

Findings

High awareness of PAM exists, but limited manpower and institutional support hinder its effectiveness.

Remote monitoring during the pandemic showed potential but raised concerns about real-time animal welfare assessment.

A hybrid PAM model combining onsite and remote methods is suggested to improve efficiency and address resource constraints.

Abstract

Postapproval monitoring (PAM) is a critical component of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversight, ensuring compliance with approved protocols and ethical animal research practices. While the PAM is not explicitly mandated under U.S. federal regulations, it has been widely recognized as an essential mechanism for verifying adherence to animal welfare standards. In contrast, Korea has formally integrated the PAM into its legal framework, making it a mandatory function of IACUCs.

This study examines the implementation and perception of the PAM in Korean institutions through a survey of relevant professionals. These findings indicate that while awareness of the PAM is high, challenges such as limited manpower and institutional support hinder its effective execution. Additionally, the pandemic highlighted the potential for online remote monitoring as a supplemental method, although concerns remain regarding its effectiveness in assessing real-time animal welfare conditions. The study suggests that a hybrid PAM model, that combines onsite and remote monitoring, could improve oversight efficiency while addressing resource constraints. Strengthening administrative support, increasing professional staffing, and enhancing researcher training are crucial steps for optimizing PAM operations in Korea.

These insights contribute to the broader discourse on the evolution of animal research oversight and the need for adaptable monitoring strategies in diverse regulatory environments.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42826-025-00258-2.

Figures