Authors: Wadzanai Mhute
Photo Courtesy - ABC News Radio(LAGOS) -- Pharmaceutical company, Pfizer paid compensation to four families in Nigeria whose children died due to a controversial meningitis drug trial.
According to BBC News the families received $175,000 each for the loss of their children in a 1996 meningitis drug trial which left 11 children dead and dozens disabled. Pfizer reached an out-of-court settlement with the families in 2009.
The state government of Kano, where the trials took place, fought the drug company which initially denied that the experimental meningitis drug called Trovan, caused the deaths and injuries. The company maintained that a severe meningitis epidemic in the region was to blame.
Pfizer set up a $35 million fund for victims as well as agreeing to sponsor health projects in Kano. A review process is being conducted to identify and compensate the remaining victims.
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