Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka)
People hospitalized for mental health problems could not participate in any clinical drug trial while they’re on a 72-hour hold, under legislation that cleared the Minnesota Senate today.
Minnetonka Democrat Terri Bonoff referenced a recent news report, saying “somebody who was in that situation was then offered — or you might say, coerced — to participate in a drug trial in order to get out of that 72-hour hold.” The issue has received attention at the legislature after the 2004 suicide of a man participating in a clinical drug trial at the University of Minnesota. Dan Markingson was not on a 72-hour hold at the time, but some allege he was coerced into participating in the drug study.