Primates--requirements by the pharmaceutical industry.

The use of primate animals by the pharmaceutical industry, emphasizing the species and number employed in the production and testing of biologics, is reviewed. The impact of the embargoes imposed by the resource countries is discussed, as well as the alternatives to the use of primates that are available to the pharmaceutical manufacturer. The paper concludes by considering the likely long-term effect of the curtailment of the supply of nonhuman primates from feral sources.