The Post Approval Monitoring (PAM) program at UBC consists of multiple levels of research oversight:
- PAM Facility Audits;
- Facility Managers and animal care staff;
- Lab-specific Continuing Review (CR) visits; and
- The Animal Care Committee (ACC) facility/lab site visits.
The UBC Post-Approval Monitoring team works closely with the Animal Care Committee. Post-approval monitoring can facilitate ongoing protocol assessment and regulatory compliance by monitoring protocols after the ACC’s initial protocol approval. The team consists of the PAM Veterinarian, Dr. Madeleine Stephens and PAM Compliance Officer, Kathy Banks. The objectives of the PAM Program, and roles of the team are outlined in UBC ACC Policy 14 (which will be updated soon to reflect the new structure). The PAM team works independently of, but collaboratively with, the Clinical Veterinarians who provide services and research support.
Fundamentally, the CCAC wants to ensure researchers are following their own approved animal care protocols, as well as meeting all policies and guidelines set out by the UBC ACC. It is acknowledged that scientific research is undertaken within a culture of trust, and that animal research at UBC is a privilege, not a right. Hence, it is assumed that researchers adhere to their approved protocols, and the policies of the UBC ACC and CCAC. Overall, the goals of PAM are to bring awareness of the benefits of compliance to both the University and researchers, to act as a resource to researchers, promote best practices and animal welfare, and foster relationships with researchers which ultimately will promote positive and useful communication and trust. Ultimately, this will facilitate the progress of research for the benefits it brings to human and animal health, and scientific knowledge.
To contact the PAM team, visit the Post Approval Monitoring SharePoint page.