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Between 1955 and 1960, the drugs were intensively tested on patients at the Königsfelden Psychiatric Clinic. From then on, drug trials were rather sporadic in nature, from 1980 onwards more and more new substances were tested in connection with sleep research. This is the conclusion of a study by the Institute of Medical History at the University of Bern, which was published today.
Scientists have already conducted similar studies in other cantons. In the canton, the Aargau Psychiatric Services (PDAG) commissioned the investigation.
A random sample of about 830 patient files between 1950 and 1990 was analyzed, including documentation of 50 from the Rüfenach child observation station.
Several hundred affected patients
Based on the random sample, it can be assumed that several hundred patients participated in drug tests during the study period, write PDAG and the governing council in a joint statement. The exact number of those affected is unknown.
With several hundred people affected, the proportion of clinical patients who participated in experiments has likely moved in the low single-digit percentage range, the message continues. A specific profile could not be determined, for example with regard to age or gender. But: Occasionally, new drugs have also been tried in children and young people.
31 preparations were tested in patients
The scientists were also unable to determine “any clear criteria” for the preparations. They were able to identify 31 test products in the documents. They can be placed historically in the context of “pharmacological change” in psychiatry. “This made possible a gradual opening of the previous custodial psychiatry,” the message says. The new substances generated “a lot of optimism” and, consequently, “a great willingness” to support the research with evidence.
The patients were not informed
Particularly complicated: for the period before 1980 there is no evidence that patients have been informed and consented to testing. Only then were more and more ethical and legal guidelines drawn up at national and international level and also introduced in Königsfelden.
Drug trials at the time were conducted in an “ethical and legal gray area,” write the canton and the PDAG. Investigations did not reveal any indication that financial incentives, similar to those in other psychiatric clinics, played a role.
Science recommends processing throughout Switzerland
The Institute for Medical History recommends support for post-processing with a Swiss-wide focus. It is a general issue and not specific to a clinic. The institute also recommends clarifying the practice of medication in child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as outside psychiatry and special and socio-educational institutions.
Lack of oversight by politics
The analysis confirms what was suspected. That is, between 1950 and 1990 there were several drug trials in patients at the Königsfelden Clinic. The tests were hardly a problem in the context of the oversight duty of politicians and left hardly any traces in protocols and documents.
The supervision of the clinic was carried out between 1950 and 1990 by a supervisory commission under the direction of the responsible member of the government. In fact, according to the study, the Commission’s supervision was mainly related to operational, personnel and financial aspects.
It was not until 1981 that the clinic’s management had to periodically report to the commission on ongoing research activities. The study indicates that the supervisory commission interpreted its control tasks in medical matters “for a long time, in an extremely vague and superficial way”, granted the clinic management the “greatest possible autonomy” and, in return, trusted your competition.
Governing council regrets drug tests
The governing council takes note of the results of the study, it says in the message. He regrets when someone has been wronged. The government also regrets the inadequate exercise of its supervisory functions by the supervisory commission at that time.
At the same time, the governing council is convinced that great progress has been made in terms of supervisory practice since then and that lessons have been learned from the past.
