Review of the International Harmonisation of Clinical Pathology testing (IHCPT) recommendations on study design and clinical pathology testing

Abstract

In an attempt to improve safety assessment and standardise regulatory testing guidelines, with the view of gaining universal agreement on clinical pathology testing, an international working party was formed. The joint scientific committee for International Harmonisation of Clinical Pathology Testing (IHCPT) represented ten national scientific organisations and undertook to provide expert recommendations for clinical pathology testing of laboratory animal species used in regulatory toxicity and safety studies. This article highlights the Committee's recommendations on blood sampling procedures and the appropriate selection of tests to be included in the disciplines of blood chemistry, haematology and urinalysis.