10 Years After a Botched Experiment, Pfizer is Getting Sued by Nigeria
May 31st, 2007 | Published in Governance, Health, Human Rights, Nigeria | 3 Comments
I did muse last year over the Pfizer 1996 clinical trials in Kano. What bothered me most at that time wasn’t how Pfizer went about the experiment, but the fact that the government of Kano state and the feds knew about the ethical lapses in the Pfizer job via a commission’s report. This was sometime in 2000.
This is 2007, but the matter is getting some attention:
“Authorities in northern Nigeria have filed a $2 billion civil case and were preparing criminal charges against the U.S. drug company Pfizer, accusing it of conducting a drug experiment that led to deaths and disabilities in a group of children more than a decade ago, according to court papers.” (Yahoo!).
Related article: Did Pfizer Use Nigerian Children as Guinea Pigs?
Technorati Tags: Pfizer
May 31st, 2007 at 4:06 pm (#)
I was excited when i read the news story today. At least, even if nothing comes out of it, which i hope not, people around the world will def. know that Naija has passed the stage of Anything Happens!
May 31st, 2007 at 5:37 pm (#)
In fact, this would be the fifth case brought against Pfizer, the first being in 2001 and of which fell dues to technicalities of jurisdiction.
The good thing is Pfizer waived the rights to the statute of limitations.
Considering the weight and might of Big-Pharma, I am quite glad that this is happening now.
The government is not faultless in their responsibilities to the people but Pfizer had a duty of ethical conduct which they allowed to lapse in Africa when they would have been heavily sanctioned for the same in the West.
My takes appear here The Pfizer Drug Trial
May 31st, 2007 at 8:45 pm (#)
That is why these companies are turning to India or some back-street African nation to do their trails.
I didn’t know this is the 5th case…I hope they get it right this time around