Finally for Now

This is the last of my 50 day look back at Thalidomide history through my late father's archive of newspaper cuttings.

Tomorrow I will be in London to mark 50 years of the final withdrawal of the drug thalidomide from the UK. I will attend a conference with thalidomide people from around the world and I will be giving a short talk so thank you for the 3000 hits and for reading. Goodbye for now. Sue Kent

Today I just step back from the 1970's to the year I was born 1962. This article is written in November. I saved this clipping until last. The preventable tragedy of thalidomide was the trigger for much needed legislative and clinical reforms. Some good came out of this scandal, but there is still so much that can and should be done. My own wish is to see every country has a central birth defect registry system that is worldwide compatible...but I digress..

Following on from the committee under Lord Cohen as reported in this article a Committee on Safety of Drugs was established, later renamed the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM). Its task was to identify problems relating to pharmaceutical substances, to assess their toxicity and report the findings to prescribers and patients.

In 1964 after the thalidomide tragedy highlighted the urgent need for routine monitoring of medicines and the need for and "early warning system" for harmful drug side effects, the Yellow Card Scheme was introduced. This scheme still running today, receives reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) or side effects from health care professionals and patients for medicines and vaccines. The MHRA and the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) run the UK's ADR reporting scheme and it receives more than 20,000 reports of possible side effects each year. Further reading MHRA

1968 Medicines Act -The Thalidomide disaster led directly to the establishment in Europe of the modern drug regulatory mechanisms. In the UK these mechanisms were first enacted into law by the 1968 Medicines Act.  Further reading : Hansard &1968 Medicines Act

1981 Contempt of Court Act - brought in as a result of the Sunday Times 1972 thalidomide campaign as mentioned in previous posts http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/49

The Sunday Times gives substantial coverage to thalidomide presented by Elaine Potter on 22nd July 1973

The article covers two areas of thalidomide history.

1. The Sunday Times contempt of court case and judgement by the Law Lords

Memorable names: The Law Lords: Lord Reid, Lord Morris, Lord Diplock, Lord Simon, Lord Cross

2. The problems encountered and yet to be encountered in the settling of monies on the children affected by thalidomide.

  Earlier in the year on 14th May 1973 David Mason had given an impassioned speech to the parents, his overriding aim was that the financial resources would be managed to ensure they would be there in adult life when their children most needed them.  David Mason, Peter Cater, in his role as Vice Chairman of the Thalidomide Society, together with  Alex Purkis and  many other parents and advisors  worked diligently to ensure the effectiveness and parity of the Distillers settlement to be administered by the unique Thalidomide Trust set up in 1974

 The British Thalidomiders are the only country to have such a Trust and the Thalidomide Society celebrates its 50th year in 2012. The first AGM of the society was in 1963

 Memorable names: Kimber Bull, Alec Purkis, Dr Vaughan, David Mason, Jack Ashley

The Sunday Times July 22 1973 A Cause for Natiional Shame

continue

The Sunday Times July 22nd 1973 The Law Lords Judgement

X and Y play out in the cold

Sunday Times June 10th 1973, I am now nearly 11 and there is still no compensation. This reports highlights the infamous X and Y situation and the even more infamous role played by Kimber and Bull.

Thalidomide 10th June 1973 X and Y lists

Parents to ballot on Thalidomide offer

Tuesday 15th May 1973, just under 11 years since the first parents started proceedings against the Distillers Company for compensation for their children affected by the drug Thalidomide.

Today's newspaper cuttings show the thalidomide parents at the end of their emotional tethers.David Mason and the Sunday Times had entered the fray in 1971 and the ensuing public outcry, political posturing and shareholder pressure forced Distillers to make a more acceptable offer of compensation. It was nowhere near enough money for the children's long-term needs, but parents were desperate for financial help and tired of battling and had no real option but to accept.

This cutting refers to a speech made by Mr Mason, I am fortunate enough to have a copy of the speech, sent by David to my father who had written a letter of support to him. I share below a piece of history not printed in the newspapers. Later in the year David Mason and Peter Carter and others would work hard to make sure the settlement was as fair and forward thinking to all as could be.

Our 50 year history has not all been plain sailing but the need for parents and then Thalidomiders to work together as a unified force has enabled us overcome many political, financial and social and practical obstacles. We have achieved so much and will go forward helping and supporting each other. 

This weekend 26th May the daughter of David Mason, Louise Medus Mansell has organised a conference in London to mark 50 years of the Thalidomide drug final withdrawal in the UK and the start of the Thalidomide Society in 1962.

New Distillers Offer 15 April 1973

Today's look back at the archive press cutting features a  piece from the Sunday Times from the reported Bruce Page, dated 15th April 1973. Distillers had been under enormous pressure to compensate the children affected by thalidomide without further delay. Parents had been trying to hold Distillers to account for the marketing and distribution of the drug Thalidomide since  since August 1962 (see previous post)

Many other parents had not made their claims within the legal time frame  and their plight was taken up by David Mason in 1971 who headed the second phase of the battle for financial security. 1972 and Mr Mason brought on board  Sir Harold Evans and Marjorie Wallace of Sunday Times, both journalists fought tirelessly on behalf of the  Thalidomiders alongside Lord Morris of Manchester and the longstanding disabled rights activist Lord Ashley of Stoke.  This team successfully bought a larger financial settlement to all Thalidomiders born in Britain. Although it was nowhere near what in these days would be considered adequate,  it was a large step in the right direction.

Memorable names: Distillers Company, Jack Ashley, David Mason

Sunday Times 15th April 1973 Thalidomide Campaign Report

Court Reserves Judgement

Sunday Times series of reports under the heading "Our Thalidomide Children" This undated cutting refers to "last November", and that would be 1972 so I am assuming this is 1973. I have four cuttings following this story, two undated, if I get them in the wrong order over the next few days I apologise, feel free to correct me on the comments or on Facebook.

 This article covers two topics:

1. The injunction on the Sunday Times. Memorable names include: Sir Peter Rawlingson, Lord Widgery, Lord Denning, Lord Justice Phillimore, Lord Justice Scarman. Mr John Wilmers QC, Mr Brian Neil QC

 2. The problems of assessment and administration of the proposed £20 million Trust. Memorable names include: Dr Gerald Vaughan, Dr K S Holt, Dr P Nichols, Professor T Oppe, Sir Gordon Newton, Dr Smithells

Sunday Times May 1793 thalidomdie contempt of court Law Lords

Contemptuous Contemplating

Following on from yesterdays post another undated press cutting, my guess May or later 1973. The Sunday Times thalidomide contempt of court case. The House of Lords struggles with the definition of contempt, bless them.

 Memorable names: Sir Peter Rawlinson, Lord Reid, Lord Diplock, Lord Simon,  Mr Brian Neil QC

Sunday Times 1973 House of
 Lords Contempt