Animal products in pharmaceuticals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Animal products in pharmaceuticals play a role as both active and inactive ingredients, the latter including binders, carriers, stabilizers, fillers, and colorants.[1] Animals and their products may also be used in pharmaceutical production without being included in the product itself.
The religious, cultural, and ethical concerns of patients and the disclosure of animal ingredients in pharmaceuticals are a growing area of concern for some people.[2][3][4] These would include people who abide by veganism ("vegans"), the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products. Vegan medicines are medications and dietary supplements that do not have any ingredients of animal origin. The vegan status can be determined either through self-proclamation of the company or certification from a third-party organization, such as The Vegan Society or PETA.[5][6]