Victory for Animals: Himachal Institute of Pharmacy Bans Forced Swim Test After PETA India Recommendations
After hearing from PETA India about the cruelty and scientific invalidity of the forced swim test (FST), Himachal Institute of Pharmacy has confirmed that it has adopted a policy prohibiting the use of the Forced Swim Test (FST), a controversial animal experiment long criticized by scientists and animal-protection groups.
This follows PETA India’s earlier victories against the experiment at Chitkara University in Chandigarh and CT University in Ludhiana, both of which confirmed that they would no longer conduct the forced swim test after hearing from PETA India.
In the FST, mice, hamsters, and other small animals are dosed with test substances, placed in inescapable beakers filled with water, and made to swim to keep from drowning – purportedly to shed light on human depression. The experiment has been heavily criticized by scientists who argue that the animals giving up and floating is not a sign of depression or despair, but rather an indicator that the animals are simply saving energy and adapting to a new environment. Research suggests the test may even be less reliable than a coin toss at determining the effectiveness of antidepressant medications.
In the letter to PETA India, Himachal Institute of Pharmacy Principal Dr. Ramandeep Singh confirmed that “our institute has already adopted the policy prohibiting the Forced Swim Test (FST) and supports cruelty-free research methods. This has been implemented in accordance with the circular issued by the Pharmacy Council of India (P.C.I) dated 30.01.2026 and as per the recommendations of the concerned academic and research committees of the institute, in line with the applicable regulatory guidelines and the recommendations of PETA India.”
Credit:Fst Exhibition (bit.ly/2VMJoSk) | charcoalnih (bit.ly/2HlHijf) | CC BY 3.0 (bit.ly/1E6HPMf)
Following a push from PETA India, the Pharmacy Council of India in April directed all agencies under its purview – including Himachal Institute of Pharmacy – to review and take necessary action on the continued use of the widely debunked experiment. More than 100 scientists and scientific experts have also joined PETA India’s call urging regulators and institutions to end the use of the forced swim test.
Other government agencies, universities, and pharmaceutical companies around the world have pledged not to permit, conduct, or fund the FST after hearing from PETA entities. PETA India is intensifying efforts to urge the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA) to ban the cruel experiment at the national level.
