DCGI urged to not accept data from “discredited test” for depression drugs March 07, 2021 Large pharma companies have abandoned the “forced swim test” for mood disorder drugs A “near drowning” test that uses small animals in the testing for depression and mood disorder drugs has come in for criticism, with pro-animal groups approaching the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). The test that has been stopped by some international pharmaceutical companies. In fact, the DCGI is said to have sought responses from three pharmaceutical associations on a representation from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on the “forced swim test” (FST).