Health Ministry Says Illegal Experimental Cancer Treatment Was Given at Ma'ayanei HaYeshua Hospital
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Israel’s Health Ministry said an 84-year-old pancreatic cancer patient received the experimental drug Gammora illegally at Ma'ayanei HaYeshua Hospital in February 2019. The ministry’s review found the treatment was done knowingly without approval, and the patient later developed neurological symptoms and died weeks after it was stopped.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A Health Ministry probe found illegal experimental treatment at Ma'ayanei HaYeshua Hospital.
- An 84-year-old pancreatic cancer patient received Gammora in February 2019 without approval.
- The committee said the drug was unapproved for human use and improperly prepared.
- The patient developed neurological symptoms and died weeks after treatment ended.
- The Health Ministry is considering action against those involved.
Israel’s Health Ministry has released the findings of an investigation into a treatment given several years ago under a so-called compassionate use framework at Ma'ayanei HaYeshua Hospital. The inquiry concluded that the failures were committed knowingly by those involved.
The case involved an 84-year-old man with advanced pancreatic cancer who, in February 2019, received the experimental drug Gammora without Health Ministry approval. The committee found that the treatment was administered unlawfully, that the product had not been approved for use in humans, and that it was prepared by people without the proper training.
According to the report, the patient later developed neurological symptoms and died several weeks after the treatment was stopped. The Health Ministry is now considering steps against the people involved in the case.
