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09/07/2012
Irish Thalidomide Association Take Action To Courts
Survivors of the drug Thalidomide have announced that they are to take legal action against the State.
The Irish Thalidomide Association has said the decision was prompted by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Health “weaselling” out of a commitment to ensure they were properly compensated for the problems they face as a result of the drug.
The group said 25 of its members were lodging applications with the Injuries Board and that they expected authorisations to be promptly issued to allow their actions to go before the courts.
The group said it had received legal advice that suggested there were significant concerns about the fairness, adequacy and appropriateness of a 1975 compensation deal agreed with the-then government and the manufacturer of the drug.
Under the agreement the survivors received lump sums of between £6,600 and £21,300 and a monthly allowance for life of between £31.75 and £95.
The programme for goverment states: “We will reopen discussions with the Irish Thalidomide Association regarding further compensation for victims of Thalidomide.”
The Thalidomide drug was taken by pregnant women to combat morning sickness but resulted in many children being born with deformities, including missing or shortened limbs.
The public was not immediately warned about its dangers when its German manufacturer withdrew it in December 1961. The Department of Health did not notify doctors and hospitals until July 1962. The drug was also licensed in several other European countries but not in the United States.
(H/GK)
The Irish Thalidomide Association has said the decision was prompted by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Health “weaselling” out of a commitment to ensure they were properly compensated for the problems they face as a result of the drug.
The group said 25 of its members were lodging applications with the Injuries Board and that they expected authorisations to be promptly issued to allow their actions to go before the courts.
The group said it had received legal advice that suggested there were significant concerns about the fairness, adequacy and appropriateness of a 1975 compensation deal agreed with the-then government and the manufacturer of the drug.
Under the agreement the survivors received lump sums of between £6,600 and £21,300 and a monthly allowance for life of between £31.75 and £95.
The programme for goverment states: “We will reopen discussions with the Irish Thalidomide Association regarding further compensation for victims of Thalidomide.”
The Thalidomide drug was taken by pregnant women to combat morning sickness but resulted in many children being born with deformities, including missing or shortened limbs.
The public was not immediately warned about its dangers when its German manufacturer withdrew it in December 1961. The Department of Health did not notify doctors and hospitals until July 1962. The drug was also licensed in several other European countries but not in the United States.
(H/GK)
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