When you take it in the full context it might be easier.

"You can be plant based but not vegan but you cant be vegan and not be plant based. "

So the thing is that you could only eat plants, but still buy animal skins, furs or go to entertainment that uses animals eg horse or dog racing. in that scenario you would not be vegan.

To be vegan is as you know to avoid where possible and practicable anything that would cause exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose so it is only possible to be plant based whilst being vegan.

I don't think in this scenario I would use the animal-tested life-saving medicines part as any animal would do what is necessary to survive, even if that includes killing another animal. To me the key is to live as practicably as possible in avoiding anything that would hurt, enslave etc animals. We just don't need to kill animals for food, nor exploit them for our gain.

Advances in testing of drugs / medicines will soon put an end to animal testing too and that will be a great day for all life on this little rock.

Here is a little quote that I like to reference from time to time that kind of explains the depths of depravity that man stoops to in order to maintain the status quo of carnism.

"We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation, and have treated our distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that beyond doubt, if they were able to formulate a religion, they would depict the Devil in human form. "

William Ralph Inge

Thanks so much for taking the time to read it @xyzashu, I really appreciate it, I know that you too are a passionate advocate for animal rights and I salute you for your work. Do not fear my friend, our day will come and the animals will be liberated. We will look back on these times in disgust.