During the 1950’s and 60’s,
Thalidomide was manufactured by Grünenthal, a German company who were marketing
the product for pregnant women as an antidote of morning sickness. However, the effect of
Thalidomide on children has been well documented. At the
time of the drug's development,
scientists did not believe any drug taken by a pregnant woman could pass
across
the placental barrier and harm the developing foetus. Though later
studies have found that Thalidomide actually led to the deaths of tens
of thousands of babies worldwide,
while thousands more were born with a variety of birth defects.
Nikki Sinclaire, of the We
Demand a Referendum Now Party, has added her support to campaigners and has written
to Chief Executive of Grünenthal.
Nikki says, “Thalidomide
survivors in the UK have been fighting for their compensation for nearly half a
century and this simply isn't right''.
There are approximately 467
thalidomide survivors in the UK and around 6000 worldwide. Many of them now
in their fifties increasingly suffer daily as they're finding their health is deteriorating faster
than other people of their age group.
''Survivors have fought tremendously with dignity but this is a battle they should no longer have to fight”.
You can fight out more information, and add your support to the Show Your Hand campaign at: