Lessons to be learned from botched trial

An interim report into the disastrous drugs trial that left a number of volunteers in intensive care is expected to highlight many areas where changes in the process should be made.

According to a spokesman for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, Dr Richard Barker, many recommendations will be made in the report, but this should not prevent the introduction of further trials.

“The report is almost certainly going to have some pointers for the future,” Dr Barker said on ITV’s Lunchtime News.

“These medicines, the monoclonal antibodies, have brought benefits to millions of people in areas such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis and it is very important that these medicines continue to come to the patients, but there will be some lessons.”

The test, which took place in Northwick Park, shocked the industry when the effects of the botched trial hit the headlines last month.

Four of the volunteers being treated in hospital following the TeGenero trial have now been allowed to return home.

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