French police have launched an investigation for the “attempted poisoning” of medical staff at L’Hotel-Dieu hospital, next to Notre Dame cathedral, in Paris. The doctors, nurses and care workers became dizzy then lost consciousness shortly after drinking coffee from the common room Thermos on Tuesday morning. The drink was found to contain huge doses of Loxapac, an anti-psychotic drug used primarily in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Four were still in a deep slumber not expected to wake up until later Wednesday, while two were allowed to return home in the afternoon. None were thought to be in a life-threatening condition. A small vial of 60ml of the drug can put 15 adults to sleep for half a day. At first police thought the medical staff might have been the target of a practical joke, but a spokesman said: “A joke, even a very bad taste one now seems to have been ruled out due to the nature of the medicine.” Inspectors were last night searching for a day patient from the psychiatric ward who took a coffee in the staff common room on Tuesday morning. Although reserved for hospital staff, the room is never locked.
