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Apology for thalidomide survivors Apology for thalidomide survivors
(about 1 hour later)
The government will apologise later to the victims of the thalidomide scandal after agreeing a £20m support package.The government will apologise later to the victims of the thalidomide scandal after agreeing a £20m support package.
Health minister Mike O'Brien will make the formal apology in an oral statement to MPs after announcing the funding in December, the government said.Health minister Mike O'Brien will make the formal apology in an oral statement to MPs after announcing the funding in December, the government said.
Pregnant women were prescribed the drug in the 1950s and 1960s as a treatment for morning sickness or insomnia.Pregnant women were prescribed the drug in the 1950s and 1960s as a treatment for morning sickness or insomnia.
It was withdrawn from sale in 1961 after 2,000 babies were born with limb deformities and other damage. It was withdrawn from sale in 1961 after babies were born with limb deformities and other damage.
The drug's UK manufacturer, Distillers Biochemicals, paid around £28m compensation in the 1970s following a legal battle by the families of those affected.The drug's UK manufacturer, Distillers Biochemicals, paid around £28m compensation in the 1970s following a legal battle by the families of those affected.
The Thalidomide Trust, which distributes aid to sufferers, welcomed the new government support package last month, announced by Mr O'Brien as a "real benefit". This has been subsequently topped up over the years by successor companies, although the average payout to the 466 survivors in the UK remains below £20,000 a year.
It is hoped the pilot scheme, to be reviewed after three years, will give people affected by thalidomide more control over their long-term health needs as they get older. The government payout is on top of this and will be shared out over the next three years.
There are currently 466 survivors in the UK. The Thalidomide Trust, which distributes aid to sufferers, welcomed the new government support package last month as a "real benefit".
It is hoped the money will give people affected by thalidomide more control over their long-term health needs as they get older.
There were thought to be more than 10,000 babies born across the world with problems linked to the drug. About half died within months of birth.