Nine babies and children from mother-and-baby homes in Northern Ireland were used for drug trials during the 1960s, it has emerged.
They were among 44 subjects who took part in experiments conducted by independent researchers at Queen’s University.
A member of the Truth Recovery Panel, which is helping to prepare for a public inquiry into the running of the homes, claimed all 44 were children.
The name of the home involved in the tests has not been confirmed.
The trials were on a Glaxo Laboratories product that combined vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio into a single shot.
Glaxo Laboratories later became part of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which has been in contact with the panel.
The results of the trials, which showed an improved response in immunity to the polio virus, were published in the medical journal The Lancet.
A senior source said: “The trial included 44 participants, nine of whom appear to have been living in a children’s home.”
Workers wearing face coverings at a Glaxo Laboratories plant in 1956 (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
GSK told Sunday Life said: “We would like to re-emphasise our sympathies to the women, children and families affected by the historical issues being addressed by the Truth Recovery Panel in Northern Ireland.
“In 1962, independent researchers at Queen’s University Belfast and the health departments of Co Down, Co Antrim and Belfast County Borough conducted a trial of a vaccine owned by Glaxo Laboratories — a legacy company of GSK — to investigate whether two routine vaccinations could be combined into one dose by including the polio vaccine with the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine.
“The results of this trial were subsequently published in full in The Lancet medical journal, and showed participants developed improved levels of immune response to polio.
“As with all clinical studies, a small number of reactions were recorded, but these were mild and similar to those observed amongst people who had received triple (rather than quadruple) vaccines.”
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A spokesperson for the company continued: “We’ve conducted an extensive search of our archives, and given the significant time elapsed, we’ve unfortunately been unable to locate any additional information on this trial or any other evidence of trials undertaken in other institutions in Northern Ireland.”
Eunan Duffy from the campaign group Truth Recovery NI
Truth Recovery Panel member Eunan Duffy said,: “I do not know how the records show an unnamed institution. How is it possible that a highly professional organisation, which you would think would be across all of the detail, records an unnamed institution for the children who were subjected to a drug-and-vaccine trial here in Northern Ireland in 1962? I do not believe it, not for one minute.”
Mr Duffy, who was taken from his mother in Newry shortly after his birth, said he had approached GSK to ask if he had been involved in any trials.
He added: “They told me that because the trials weren’t published, it was highly unlikely that I was subjected to a trial, which is unacceptable.”
by heresmewhaa
5 comments
GSK were one of the main producers of valium during its boom period here, great bunch of lads 🤗 /s
They also made lucozade which amused me caused it’s like the antidote for the former 😅
Jesus.
Absolutely vile
‘still being shunned by fellow clergy’ Queen’s in row over body donations from church-run homes’
o k
Just the ultimate indignity, you’re worthless and we’ll sell your body for testing. The lack of any basic Christianity is shocking.