UK: Drug trial mishap shows need for human-based medicine

The healthy volunteers who became seriously ill after trialling a new anti-inflammatory drug at Northwick Park Hospital are a timely reminder about the shortcomings of using animals to develop new pharmaceutical drugs. The drug that caused multiple organ failure in all six men had been approved for trial after being tested on animals.

Animal experiments tell us about animals, not about people. The results of animal studies can never guarantee the safety or efficacy of human medicines or other products because of the fundamental biological, anatomical and biochemical differences between the species. There are countless examples of drugs tested on animals that have been released as safe only to cause serious side effects and even death in humans - the recent case of Vioxx being only one example.

New drugs are constantly being brought to the market and it is the responsibility of the government and pharmaceutical industry to use and develop new human-based test methods to prove their safety. Complex computer models, micro-dosing (which shows how drugs are metabolised), and microfluidic circuits are all cutting-edge non-animal alternatives that have been pioneered in the 21st century. It's long overdue that we leave antiquated animal tests where they belong?in the last century.

more information:
Two drug trial men critically ill

Source: Drug trial mishap shows need for human-based medicine
Author: BUAV

Link: British drug test halted after six become hospitalized
Link: Drug test volunteers end up in intensive care
Link: If you only do one thing... ask your MP to sign EDM 1704
Link: Six men hospitalized after severe reactions in test of new drug
Link: Truth and lies about animals in medical research


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