N v United Kingdom Research Council; The CJD Litigation (QBD)

(1996) 7 Med LR 309

QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION

and Mr Justice MORLAND

Medicines — Safety — Human growth hormone (HGH) — Recipients of HGH extracted from pituitaries of deceased contracting Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) — Claims against Medical Research Council and Department of Health on behalf of those recipients — Alleged negligent failure to carry out informed and frank reappraisal of HGH programme in 1973/74 and 1977 — Whether, if informed and frank debate had taken place between clinicians and other experts, decision not to suspend programme for new patients would have been negligent