Drug Trials Go Horribly Wrong

[EirePlane]

It has made national news here but im not sure about anywhere else.
Six people who volunteered for drugs tests are in intensive care after they reacted to the drug after being injected

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4807042.stm

I find it greatly reassuring to know that is my local hospital. I always knew it was a bad hospital

[beefhole]

Well, that's exactly what clinical trials are for-the fact they reacted is no reflection on the hospital whatsoever (both my father and mother are clinical pharmacologists, so I know a thing or two about this stuff)

[Scorpiоn]

Aren't you supposed to know going into these things you could split in two and become a little green man?

[candle_86]

I knew that, did it a few times for some money with those diet pills. Signed a nice form saying basiclly if after ingesting these i fall over dead, i can't hold them responsable

[Smoke2much]

author=EirePlane
I find it greatly reassuring to know that is my local hospital. I always knew it was a bad hospital

Dude, check your facts before making comments like this.

[Scorpiоn]

So much anger in Simviation as of late.

[ozzy72]

I'm with Will on this one. It was the drugs company that failed not the local hospital. I think the hospital deserves a big pat on the back for doing an amazing job and saving these guys lives!

[C]

Dude, check your facts before making comments like this.

Too true Will, you have a very fair point. To clear it up for anyone who didn't know, the trial actually took place at the drug company's own 36 bed unit.

All I can say is that the two chaps who received the placebo are two very lucky chaps indeed, although even for them the experience must have been terrifying initially before they knew that they had not received the drug...

[EirePlane]

I understand that it is not the hospital's fault this happened but from my own experience it isn't a very good hospital anyway. that's not because of the NHS or the equiptment but because of the staff mainly. I have had at least two people in my family have bad experiences with that hospital. although in all fairness the children's ward is fantastic according to a friend who broke his ankle and had to stay there for a while

There was one other guy who was going to do it and he complained that they kept telling him to "sign the form and get it out of the way" and they weren't given enough time to read through it. It was only when he heard someone else reading it out that he decided to pul out of it.

[edit] also there is doubt that the products were ever tested on animals before being administered to humans and it has also been said that if this is the first test on humans, it should not have been administered in batches of six

[ozzy72]

If you want to see some REALLY bad hospitals then visit Hungary or worse yet Romania. I've had friends die in both and their deaths could have easily been prevented!
Thank goodness I have the constitution of an ox and a morbid fear of doctors that means I medicate myself with whiskey to kill all known ailments

[Hagar]

Whatever caused this terrible tragedy I don't see how anyone can blame the hospital. It's too early to say exactly why this happened or whether any procedures were at fault. The latest news is that the victiims might be in a coma for 6 months or even longer & there's no guarantee they will ever fully recover. I suspect this will lead to a severe lack of volunteers for these tests in future.

[beefhole]

The latest news is that the victiims might be in a coma for 6 months or even longer & there's no guarantee they will ever fully recover. I suspect this will lead to a severe lack of volunteers for these tests in future.

For this specific drug, yes-but this isn't the first time this has happenned and clinical trials will continue just like always. Why? Because this kind of event is rare, and the people who volunteer are generally those who really need the treatment.

[Hagar]

For this specific drug, yes-but this isn't the first time this has happenned and clinical trials will continue just like always. Why? Because this kind of event is rare, and the people who volunteer are generally those who really need the treatment.

I understand that this is a relatively new type of drug. Also that the volunteers are usually perfectly fit people after a little extra cash, like university students as I believe in this case.

[Smoke2much]

I can introduce anyone to hundreds of people who have had bad experiences at hospitals.  We are not perfect, not even close.  The harsh fact is that these six volunteers would have died without the resources of that hospital.  

If they allowed themselves to be rushed through the consent process then that is a whole other issue, I guess the money aspect was fore most in their minds and they were sure that they would be OK.  Now the British tax payer is paying over

[Hagar]

[quote]Now the British tax payer is paying over