Live: How bad childhood cancer drugs flooded the world

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism

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Feb

15

5:00pm

Live: How bad childhood cancer drugs flooded the world

By The Bureau of Investigative Journalism

How did a dangerous and useless childhood cancer drug flood the world? And what does it mean for the estimated 70,000 children around the world who remain at risk?

Join our free livestream with TBIJ reporters Rosa Furneaux and Laura Margottini, chaired by global health editor Chrissie Giles. They will delve into how they reported on the story, as well as answer your questions about the investigation.

Missed the story? ⬇️

In 2017, Brazilian doctors began using a new brand of a crucial chemotherapy drug called asparaginase. Before long, they started to notice a terrifying trend...

Children who were taking the new brand, which had been bought cheaply by the government, had a lower survival rate than those taking a brand made by a different company. Researchers discovered the medicine was practically useless and contaminated. It was quickly banned in Brazil — but the problem didn't stop there.

The investigation reveals how poor-quality asparaginase is being used in hospitals across the world, putting tens of thousands of children at risk.

Can't make 5pm on Wednesday? No problem! Sign up now and watch the livestream replay at your leisure 💻

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