Three men have been rushed to hospital after becoming seriously
ill during
clinical trials of an experimental cancer
drug.
The trio, who had been undergoing testing at the Shandon Clinic in Cork,
Ireland, were taken to Cork
University Hospital, where they are said to be in a stable
condition.
The remaining eight volunteers have been placed under
observation as a precaution.
While there has been no talk thus far of medical
negligence or personal
injury claims, drug companies have in the past compensated
volunteers who have become unwell during trials, but only where the
firm concerned was at fault - something which is by no means clear
at the early stage of this accident.
The Irish Medicines Board said
a full investigation had been launched.
"The trial in question was to determine the bioavailability of a
drug for its potential use in the treatment of cancer and was
terminated due to adverse effects on some of the volunteers," a
spokeswoman added.
"There are no other ongoing trials in Ireland with this
investigational medicine."