Which organization evaluates institutional compliance with the PHS policy?

Which organization evaluates institutional compliance with the PHS policy?

• A. AAALAC International
• B. NIH
• C. Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
• D. CDC

Answer: (C)

The organization that monitors whether institutions meet the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals is the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). In practice, institutions that receive Public Health Service funds submit a PHS Assurance to OLAW, and OLAW reviews and monitors the institution’s animal care and use program. It works with IACUCs to ensure compliance, conducts inspections, reviews training, and can take action if standards aren’t met, including affecting federal funding. Voluntary accrediting bodies like AAALAC International assess programs for quality but are not the formal evaluator of PHS policy compliance. NIH funds research and administers the policy framework but delegates the compliance evaluation to OLAW. CDC is a separate agency and not the entity responsible for evaluating PHS policy compliance in this context.

The organization that monitors whether institutions meet the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals is the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). In practice, institutions that receive Public Health Service funds submit a PHS Assurance to OLAW, and OLAW reviews and monitors the institution’s animal care and use program. It works with IACUCs to ensure compliance, conducts inspections, reviews training, and can take action if standards aren’t met, including affecting federal funding.

Voluntary accrediting bodies like AAALAC International assess programs for quality but are not the formal evaluator of PHS policy compliance. NIH funds research and administers the policy framework but delegates the compliance evaluation to OLAW. CDC is a separate agency and not the entity responsible for evaluating PHS policy compliance in this context.