Thalidomide Cash Aid Announced

Compensation for those hit by Thalidomide - a drug given to pregnant women to combat common symptoms of early pregnancy - has been announced.

Eighteen thalidomide survivors from Northern Ireland are to share £1.1m of Government compensation.

The controversial drug, which was withdrawn from use in the early 1960s when it was discovered that it was responsible for producing harmful effects to the foetus, has left thousands severely handicapped.

Today, NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey (pictured) said the cash would be made available to sufferers in NI in recognition of the effects of thalidomide, which could develop after a single dose, involving mainly malformation of the limbs and defects of the ears, eyes and internal organs.

The money will be made available to the Thalidomide Trust, which was established in 1973 to provide support to those born with disabilities because their mothers had taken the drug.

This follows an announcement by Mike O'Brien, the Minister of State for Health Services that compensation is being made available for thalidomide survivors in England.

Michael McGimpsey said: "I fully support the principle of meeting the health needs for any patient who has suffered ill health through using medicines which, unknown to them, carried unacceptable safety risks.

"I can therefore confirm that £1.1m required to meet the health needs of sufferers born in Northern Ireland, will be made available to the Thalidomide Trust.

"My officials will undertake discussions with the Trust to agree how a personalised way of meeting these needs can be best achieved," he said today.

"I am sincerely sorry for the injury and suffering endured by those affected when expectant mothers took the thalidomide drug between 1958 and 1961.

"In the light of what happened, a thorough review was carried out and as a result the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), now the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), was created by the UK Medicines Act 1968.

Nick Dobrik, Deputy Chairman of the Thalidomide Trust's National Advisory Council said: "On behalf of the Thalidomide Trust National Advisory Council, I welcome this response from the Northern Ireland Government. These additional funds will help improve the quality of life of thalidomiders and enable them to maintain their independence."

(BMcC/GK)