Hospitals gave glands to pharmaceuticals

The Southern Health Board has confirmed that Cork University Hospital and Tralee General Hospital gave pituitary glands to two pharmaceutical companies.

The Board has said the glands were given to Kabi Vitrum, the predecessor of Pharmacia, and Novo Nordisk to produce a drug used to treat children with growth hormone deficiency.

Cork University Hospital gave around 75 pituitary glands to Kabi Vitrum in the early 1980's while Tralee General gave 36 to Novo Nordisk between 1981 and 1984.

No payment was received for the glands.