Several participants of a clinical trial in France are in serious condition after taking experimental medicine in France. One patient has been left brain dead.

The drug trial was testing a new painkiller and involved 90 volunteers who were given varying doses. The drug was meant to act on the endocannabinoid system, which deals with pain.

Some reports on the case said the drug contained cannabinoids, an active ingredient found in cannabis, however the French ministry statement said the drug did not contain cannabis nor any substance derived from cannabis.