Ethical Imperialism
When regulatory oversight is tight in the West, pharmaceutical giants often export their clinical trials to the developing world, where ethical standards are looser and human life is treated as cheap.
Pfizer in Nigeria (1996)
During a meningitis outbreak in Kano, Nigeria, Pfizer seized the opportunity to test its experimental antibiotic, Trovan, on children. They did not obtain informed consent from parents, who believed they were receiving standard medical care from Doctors Without Borders.
- 11 Children Died during the trial.
- Dozens were left disabled with brain damage, paralysis, and deafness.
- Pfizer was later sued and paid $75 million in settlements.
The "Secret Report"
"Pfizer undertook an illegal trial of an unregistered drug... and violated Nigerian law, the Declaration of Helsinki, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child."
— Nigerian Government Investigative Panel (2001)
HPV Trials in India (2009)
The Gates Foundation-funded NGO, PATH, conducted "demonstration projects" for HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) on 24,000 tribal girls in India. The study was branded as an "observational study" to bypass strict clinical trial regulations.
- Consent forms were "signed" with thumbprints by illiterate wardens, not parents.
- 7 girls died during the trials.
- The Indian Parliament condemned the study as a "gross violation of human rights."
Parliamentary Report 72
"The Committee finds the entire matter very intriguing and fishy. The choice of countries and populations... speaks of a design to exploit the poor and illiterate."
— 72nd Report of the Rajya Sabha (2013)
Dengvaxia in the Philippines (2016)
Sanofi Pasteur launched a massive dengue vaccination campaign for 800,000 school children in the Philippines, despite knowing that the vaccine could cause severe denguein children who had never been infected before (Antibody Dependent Enhancement).
- Over 600 child deaths are under investigation.
- Sanofi officials were indicted for "reckless imprudence resulting in homicide."
- The program was suspended, and public trust in vaccines collapsed.
Sanofi's Admission
"For those not previously infected by dengue virus... the analysis found that in the longer term, more cases of severe disease could occur following vaccination."
— Sanofi Pasteur Press Release (Nov 2017)
References & Verification
View Full Database- India Parliament Report: Parliament of India, Rajya Sabha. (2013). 72nd Report on Alleged Irregularities in the Conduct of Studies Using Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine by PATH in India. Source.
- Pfizer Nigeria Panel: Nigerian Government Investigative Panel. (2001). Report on the Pfizer Trovan Trial.