The Wire

Following the disastrous anti-inflammatory drug trials in the UK by a German pharmaceutical company, which resulted in organ failure and left six young healthy men fighting for their lives, has prompted questions as to the safety of similar trials in Australia. Professor Andrew Lloyd, chairman of Human Research Ethics (University of NSW) described this particular UK trial as a Phase 1 trial, an especially risky trial where the drug comes into contact with human beings for the first time. He says although the tests may produce horrific results, participants are well-informed of potential consequences before they sign up.