The government has scrapped repeat tests on animals for drugs which have already been approved by other countries. The Union Health Ministry has amended the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, which states that animals will be spared the cruel tests for new drug registrations where complete data from similar toxicity experiments already exists for drugs approved abroad.<br/><br/>The amendments follow repeated appeals by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and Union minister Maneka Gandhi, a well-known animal rights activist. However, no permission will be required to conduct clinical trial intended for academic purposes in respect of approved drug formulation.