The activities of veterinary vaccine control laboratories.

The activities of veterinary vaccine control laboratories are reviewed. The National Veterinary Assay Laboratory (NVAL) in Japan is used as an example to describe a quality control system for veterinary vaccines. Veterinary vaccine control laboratories conduct tests on veterinary vaccines and perform studies to improve test methods to ensure quality, efficacy and safety. The primary responsibility of the veterinary vaccine control laboratory is the assay of animal vaccines for national use. In addition, vaccine control laboratories perform activities for the distribution of reference products, examinations, inspection of other laboratories to ensure implementation of 'good laboratory practices', technical training and other duties prescribed by the Ministry of Agriculture. The NVAL and veterinary control laboratories from other countries have participated in the work of the International Co-operation on Harmonisation of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH) group initiated by the Office International des Epizooties to harmonise technical requirements for registration of veterinary vaccines.