AP students victimised, used as guinea pigs for drug tests

Vishakhapatnam, Jul 20: Here comes another fresh example of unethical drug trials where two engineering students from Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh were used as guinea pigs for drug trials by a drug research company.

The victimised students accused the company of luring them as volunteers on the pretext of an educational project and a payment of Rs 6,000. They weren't even informed of the process and were forced to stay at the laboratory of Actimus Biosciences, till blood samples were collected. The students say that they soon developed nausea and swollen limbs.

"They had taken some tests and after that we came back to Actimus Biosciences. Around 4-5 pm we got our results and they told that we have started the study," said Ajay Kumar, victim/student.

Though the company denied allegations, the police have arrested the Chief Executive Officer alongwith two others. The company also claimed that they have the licence to conduct such trials and that the students' consent was taken.

"People generally check in to the facility tweleve hours prior to the dose and then they are stationed in the facility for 24 hours," said B Srinivas, Actimus Biosciences Private limited.

A similar case happened in a government hospital at Indore where several children, hailing from poor and illiterate background were used as guinea pigs by the hospital staff.

OneIndia News