Six people seriously ill after medical trials go wrong in France

All of the six patients, one of whom was in a coma, had been in good health until taking the oral medication

PARIS: Six people are in a serious condition after taking part in a medical trial for an unnamed European laboratory to test a new drug, France's health ministry said on Friday.

The ministry did not say what the medicine was intended to be used for, but said the six volunteers, one of whom was in a coma, had been in good health until taking the oral medication at the clinic in Brittany, northern France.



French TV channel iTele said the trial was for a painkiller containing cannabis and took place at a laboratory in Rennes.

"This test was carried out at a private facility specialised in carrying out clinical trials," the ministry said in a statement.

All trials on the drug have now been suspended and all volunteers who have taken part in the trial are being called back.