Pfizer Pays N71.69m to 4 Trovan Victims in Kano

Pfizer pharmaceutical

Oct 1st, 2011 – Pfizer Pays N71.69m to 4 Trovan Victims in Kano

 Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, yesterday compensated four victims of the Trovan clinical trials to the tune of $463,750 (N71.69m).

The four victims were the latest set of claimants, who successfully scaled the DNA test administered by the Healthcare/Meningitis Trust Fund, which was set up by Pfizer and the Kano State Government to execute the out-of-court settlement deal reached in 2009.

Speaking while presenting cheques to the Trovan drug test victims, the Chairman of the Healthcare/Meningitis Trust Fund, Justice Abubakar Bashir Wali (rtd) said the payment of the compensation followed the conclusion of medical tests to ascertain the extent of disability, pains and sufferings of the victims and their relatives.

“The Trust Fund has concluded the required medical test and ascertained the percentage of the medical disabilities, pains and sufferings for four other living participants, who passed the DNA test conducted by the Board,” he said.

One of the victims, Shazali Inuwa, 22, who suffers from severe ear pains, got $148,750, while 23 year old Rabi’u Isa, who has infirmities in his legs, received $122,500.

Another victim, Rabi’u Zakari, 28, who also suffers from leg pains, smiled home with $105,000, with $87,500 going to 23 year-old Abubakar Ahmad Umar, who has mental disorder, allegedly caused by the clinical trials run by Pfizer in Kano.

Wali further disclosed that the results of the second DNA test administered on 191 claimants indicated that six more participants were successful.

He, however, stated that the six successful claimants refused to honour the invitation of the Board for medical assessment to determine the extent of their disabilities, for the purpose of compensation.

He, therefore, appealed to the six remaining claimants to cooperate with the board in order to process their compensation and determine the amount each of them is entitled to.