One brain-dead and five hospitalised after ‘serious accident’ in clinical trial

Six volunteers are seriously ill in hospital after a medical trial at a private clinic in France. One of the six is described as “brain dead” while the other five are critically ill, according to the newspaper Ouest France. The trial is related to a cannabis-based painkiller, led by a European laboratory, the newspaper said. It is currently unclear how many people were involved.

A serious accident took place during a therapeutic trial near Rennes.

French Health Minister Marisol Touraine

The trial has now been halted and all participants recalled. The minister said the six patients had been in good health until taking the oral medication. The first volunteers to fall ill were taken into hospital earlier this week, French media said. Ms Touraine expressed her “deep determination to get to the bottom… of this tragic accident”. A formal investigation has been opened in Paris.

Health Drug trial