A controversial trial of anti-psychotic drugs on teenagers as young as 15 has been cancelled before it began, after protests by scientists from New Zealand and Australia.
University of Auckland clinical psychologist John Read is part of a group of 13 international health experts whose opposition has led to the drug trial being canned.
It was to have been run by one of Australia's key mental health advisers, Professor Patrick McGorry.
The trial planned to test the effect of the drug quetiapine on patients who have not yet been diagnosed with a psychotic illness. The aim was to see whether it could reduce the risk of those with signs of mental illness from developing a psychotic disorder.
However, the drug posed dangers to those taking part, including the potential to cause weight gain, diabetes and other psychological effects, said another complainant, University of Adelaide Professor Jon Jureidini.
