In a major victory for Humane Society International/India's campaign to end cruel and obsolete animal testing, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has prohibited the use of 'Draize' irritation tests using rabbits. The notification dated November 4, 2016 recommends the use of OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) validated non-animal alternatives. The Health Ministry’s decision comes after a series of representations made by HSI/India, People for Animals and other stakeholders, informing the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation and the Drug Controller General (India) regarding internationally recognised alternatives.