Introduction of OTC Monograph System in USA and Its Enlightenment to China / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To put forward some suggestions for the implementation of OTC monograph in China. METHODS ： Literature research was used to comprehensively review the concept ，emergence and development ，function of OTC monograph in USA；referring to experience in USA ，the necessity and feasibility of monograph system for OTC registration and evaluation in China were explored ，and some suggestions were put forward to the implementation of OTC monograph in China. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS：OTC monograph in USA refers to the regulatory standards that should be followed when selling OTC products not included in new drug applications. The monograph originates from the re-evaluation project of the effectiveness of OTC drugs ， which plays a special role in accelerating the drug marketing and promoting product innovation. The OTC monograph system is necessary to help to optimize the OTC registration and evaluation ，but at present ，the conditions to establish and implement OTC monograph are not yet ripe in China. Based on the optimization of resource allocation and infrastructure construction ，national OTC drug management experience ，OTC monograph can play a full part in OTC registration and evaluation ，in terms of carrying out in-depth research ，taking pilot test ，improving risk management system and enhancing drug review resource allocation ability.

Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) and replacement, reduction or refinement best practices

OBJECTIVES: Korea's Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) was enacted for the protection of human health and the environment in 2015. Considering that about 2000 new substances are introduced annually across the globe, the extent of animal testing requirement could be overwhelming unless regulators and companies work proactively to institute and enforce global best practices to replace, reduce or refine animal use. In this review, the way to reduce the animal use for K-REACH is discussed. METHODS: Background of the enforcement of the K-REACH and its details was reviewed along with the papers and regulatory documents regarding the limitation of animal experiments and its alternatives in order to discuss the regulatory adoption of alternative tests. RESULTS: Depending on the tonnage of the chemical used, the data required ranges from acute and other short-term studies for a single exposure route to testing via multiple exposure routes and costly, longer-term studies such as a full two-generation reproducibility toxicity. The European Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals regulation provides for mandatory sharing of vertebrate test data to avoid unnecessary duplication of animal use and test costs, and obligation to revise data requirements and test guidelines “as soon as possible” after relevant, validated replacement, reduction or refinement (3R) methods become available. Furthermore, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development actively accepts alternative animal tests and 3R to chemical toxicity tests. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative tests which are more ethical and efficient than animal experiments should be widely used to assess the toxicity of chemicals for K-REACH registration. The relevant regulatory agencies will have to make efforts to actively adopt and uptake new alternative tests and 3R to K-REACH.