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About Us:
Thalidomide
UK
Thalidomide UK is an Advisory and a Monitoring Group
regarding the use of thalidomide and similar drugs. Our
main aim is to reduce the likelihood of anymore babies been
damaged by the drug thalidomide and other similar medicines
being misused, which cause known birth
abnormalities. We are the only thalidomide
organisation in the UK that is run entirely by the survivors of the drug
‘Thalidomide’.
The drug ‘Thalidomide’ was mainly prescribed to pregnant women for
morning sickness in the late 50s and early 60s. Instead the drug caused
severe deformities in babies with missing limbs. Some thalidomiders were
also born with internal deformities. It’s estimated that over 3,500
babies died before their first birthday.
Existing Thalidomide Campaigns:
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European Licensing of thalidomide -
the EU will consider licensing the drug this year. We are giving
advice on the guidelines. |
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Hospital Advisors – due to the small
numbers of thalidomide victims in the UK, some doctors are not fully
aware of the disability. |
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Medical Students – we are available
to give presentations on the thalidomide history and we also give
advice on projects. |
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Patient – we advise patients how to
use the drug more safely. |
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Media Research - we have available
information for the press worldwide regarding history of thalidomide
and the various disabilities relating to the drug. (Including
translating documents). |
Previous Campaigns
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Diageo - was the new owners of Distillers who
marketed the drug between 1959/62.
Thalidomide
victims had never received adequate compensation from drug
manufactures distillers.
We felt that
Diageo had a moral obligation to thalidomide people, because money
was needed to help with our future. |
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Government Unfair Tax – thalidomide survivors
have to pay a high rate of tax when they receive income payments
from their trust fund (The Thalidomide Trust). |
History of Thalidomide key notes:
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The drug thalidomide was introduced
to the UK in 1958 under its brand name Distaval. |
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The drug was mainly given to pregnant
women for morning sickness. However it was used to treat mild
depression, because of it being a mild sedative. |
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On 27 November 1961 Thalidomide was
voluntary withdrawn in the UK from the British manufacture
Distillers Biochemical LTD. |
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The first British thalidomide victim
was born in January 1959. |
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There are currently 455 thalidomide
survivors in the UK. |
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The victim's disabilities range from
missing limbs and internal deformities. |
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In the 70s the Sunday Times lead a
campaign for justice for the victims. |
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Around 40% of thalidomide victims
died before their first birthday. |
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The Thalidomide Trust was established
on the 10th of August 1973, with the object of providing support to
those people who had disabilities caused because their mothers had
taken the drug thalidomide during pregnancy. |
The Use of the Drug Thalidomide Today
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Thalidomide UK is not against the use
of the drug. |
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We need stricter guidelines and a
safer away in monitoring drug which would reduce the chances of
babies being born with deformities. |
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