Reuters Health reports that the International Contergan Thalidomide Alliance (ICTA), a group for victims of thalidomide treatment, is seeking 4 billion euros ($6.3 billion) in compensation from the German manufacturer of the drug, Grunenthal, and the German government. Thalidomide, sold in the 1950s under the brand names Contergan and Distaval, was used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women in at least 46 countries. In many cases, babies affected by thalidomide did not survive; those who did often had severe birth defects such as shortened arms or legs (phocomelia), deafness, blindness or gastrointestinal defects.
Although Grunenthal paid a settlement in the 1970s, not all victims received adequate compensation, and the 3,500 victims still alive today are finding they need more financial support.
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I would like to introduce myself my name is Mark Harrelson I’m a 45 year old thalidomide survivor. I live about 35 miles from Atlanta, Georgia. I have come to find out that thalidomide is not hardly known about in the U.S. I’ve gotten on line and have come to find that all the info is in Canada and Europe.
I’ve always wanted to meet someone that is like me that deals with the issues of being different. The surgeon that did my 1st. finger transplant at the University of North Carolina stated that the cause of this deformity was from Thalidomide and my mother was working at the hospital at the time of my conception. She had gotten the drug from the doctor. I’ve have also read about the compensation from drug manufacturer.
I would love to be a voice (ADVOCATE) about the effects of this drug and how people are categorized that look physically different and the social problem that come with it, effect so many people not just victims of Thalidomide but also people that are Physically Challenged.
I would be grateful for your help in giving me some guidance
May you be blessed in the direction you go ,
Mark Harrelson
I’m still looking for a survivor and notice that you had put my request on the first page of the thalidomide survivor google search I ‘m asking if you can put my email address on the page harrelson40@bellsouth.net