The European Parliament has not given up on its idea of seeking compensation for the thalidomide victims. In a non-legislative resolution adopted on Thursday 15 December, it called on the German government to take the opportunity of the review in its law on the thalidomide foundation planned for January 2017 to introduce this kind of mechanism for all European victims.
Thalidomide is the name of medicines marketed at the end of the 1950s to relieve morning sickness among pregnant women, which was also used for colds and insomnia. This medicine, however, had devastating side-effects and led to the children being born with congenital deformities. According to figures provided by MEPs, there were 2,700 victims in Germany, 500 in Italy, 500 in the United Kingdom, 100 in Sweden and 200 in Spain
In this context, MEPs are calling on the member states and European Commission “to coordinate actions and measures to recognise and provide compensation to Thalidomide survivors”. They are also asking the German government to allow thalidomide survivors from the UK, Spain, Italy, Sweden and other member states be admitted to the compensation scheme for German victims as part of the future revision of its law on the thalidomide foundation. As was the case in March 2016 (see EUROPE 11509), they are urging the Commission to create a framework protocol at EU level, under which all EU citizens affected by Thalidomide “would receive similar amounts of compensation” and for the Grünenthal company responsible for manufacturing the drug, to meet its responsibilities. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)