Pacritinib: another drug testing disaster

This week news of deaths caused by patients taking a test drug called Pacritinib has hit the headlines. 

The drug was being tested to treat a rare blood cancer called myelofibrosis. Sadly, volunteers in locations across the world have suffered from brain haemorrhages or heart failure. And several people have died, including one Britain. 

The phase III trial has now been halted according to

The Sunday Times.

This comes after more details of the French Bial drug disaster came to light last week. In this phase I trial, one person tragically died and four others suffered brain haemorrhages testing an experimental drug for treating pain and anxiety.

Worryingly, the French authorities are refusing to release more information about the drug and its testing. There are unconfirmed reports that chimpanzees and dogs were used in animal tests first.  There are also reports that the dogs became ill and died during the experiments.

http://www.curetoday.com/articles/pacritinib-for-myelofibrosis-placed-on-full-clinical-hold?p=2