Clinical Trial of Hepatitis C Drug Proved Fatal

A clinical trial of a Hepatitis C drug that left one volunteer dead and injured several others serves as a stark reminder of the risks experimental treatments pose for those who volunteer to test them.

The Kansas City Star reports that Bristol-Myers Squib halted a clinical trial of a potential Hep C drug code-named BMS-986094 in August after one man died of heart failure and eight others suffered heart and kidney damage while taking the antiviral medication.

In an interview with the Star, a spokesperson from Bristol-Myers Squib said the company was committed to safety and would evaluate the potential mechanism of the drug’s toxicity and inform the medical community about the findings.

There isn’t much public data available on the extent to which BMS-986094 was vetted for safety before the trial but some early laboratory results suggested that the drug could be toxic, writes the Star. There can be limited safety data in some types of clinical trials.

However, there is nothing in the available data to suggest that Bristol-Myers Squibb mishandled the drug’s development, according to the Star.

The story of BMS-986094 illustrates that there are very real risks associated with volunteering for a clinical trial.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a dangerous drug, contact Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation and to find out if a dangerous drug lawyer may be able to help you.

Tags: