Pharmaceutical Giants Face Serious Allegations Involving Chinese Detainees

Accusations have emerged, alleging that Pfizer and Eli Lilly tested drugs on inmates in Chinese concentration camps.

At a Glance

Major US pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly and Pfizer, have been conducting clinical trials at hospitals affiliated with the Chinese army.
There are allegations these trials involved testing drugs on prisoners in China’s illegal concentration camps.
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has sent a letter to the FDA seeking more information about these clinical trials.
The letter highlights concerns about trials conducted in regions where the CCP is accused of committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.
Lawmakers are worried that the US pharmaceutical companies might profit from data derived from forced participation in these trials.

Allegations of Drug Testing on Uyghur Inmates

Accusations have surfaced against Eli Lilly and Pfizer, claiming these pharmaceutical giants tested experimental drugs on inmates within Chinese concentration camps. Reports suggest these trials occurred in hospitals affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military. The information has seized the attention of international watchdogs and human rights groups, who demand transparency and regulations to prevent such human rights abuses in medical research.

Contributing to the controversy, lawmakers from both parties have voiced concerns. A letter to the FDA has been dispatched, requesting further information about these clinical trials. It questions the ethical implications of conducting trials in regions where the CCP is accused of genocide against the Uyghur Muslim population. The letter also emphasizes the potential for the CCP to access sensitive and proprietary data.

Pfizer and Eli Lilly accused of testing drugs on prisoners in Chinese concentration camps https://t.co/XWfCOPLTky pic.twitter.com/cewzFfjxnk

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) August 21, 2024

US Lawmakers Demand Answers

The letter, signed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, seeks clarity and action from the FDA. The lawmakers are particularly concerned about the possibility of forced participation in these trials and the risk of US pharmaceutical companies profiting from such unethical practices. Furthermore, they urge scrutiny of the data security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access by the CCP.

Specific drugs under scrutiny include Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drug donanemab (Kisunla) and Pfizer’s kidney cancer drug axitinib (Inlyta). The trials reportedly took place at military-affiliated hospitals, among them the People’s Liberation Army’s general hospital and the Air Force Medical University. The trustworthiness of clinical trial data from People’s Liberation Army (PLA) institutions is also questioned, with the letter urging the FDA to take a more active role in safeguarding US national security interests.

Pfizer and Eli Lilly accused of testing drugs on prisoners in Chinese concentration camps https://t.co/SqROg7CDq5

— Doctors*Overseas (@DoctorsOverseas) August 21, 2024

Request for Comprehensive Review

The letter also requests that the FDA provide insight into the review process for hospitals run by the Chinese military and the oversight of intellectual property and technology transfer risks. The House Select Committee on the CCP is evaluating the implications of China’s biopharma ecosystem and is considering an Act that would suspend contracts with Chinese biotech firms posing a national security risk.

Lawmakers also address human rights concerns, referencing reports of forced labor camps and other abuses against Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). This critique extends to collaborative research between US drugmakers and China’s military that has been ongoing for over a decade. Eli Lilly responded to these concerns, emphasizing their dedication to diversity, intellectual property protections, and data privacy in their clinical trials.