Contergan victims suffer consequential damages

Contergan: Even after 50 years of withdrawal from the market more relevant than ever

11/25/2011

On November 27, 1961, the sleeping drug Contergan was taken from the manufacturer Grünenthal from the market. Previously, the German pediatrician Widukind Lenz had informed the company about his suspicion that there is a connection between malformations in newborns and the use of Contergan. The over-the-counter sleep aid was often sold to pregnant women, as it appeared to be well tolerated. This had massive consequences. Worldwide, about 10,000 babies were born with thalidomide damage. Grünenthal admitted that the drug thalidomide leads to nerve damage.

Consequential damage by Contergan for a lifetime
Of the approximately 5,000 Contergan victims born in Germany, about 2,700 still live today. For them, the question arises as to how to proceed. For a long time, the disabilities caused by the drug have also resulted in consequential damage, such as poor posture of the spine, joints and muscles, informs the Federal Association of Organ Damaged on its website. These consequential damages would now mean further, intensive care and therapeutic measures, the cost of which has not been satisfactorily resolved for those affected. In addition, parents who support and care for the thalidomide victims have become too old to continue doing so.

In April 1970, Grünenthal committed to pay 100 million marks to the victims. The process has been discontinued. In 2009 Grünenthal paid another 50 million euros to the „Contergan Foundation for disabled people“, an association founded by the Federal Government. However, the enormous costs of care and treatment, pension losses and special needs in old age require further measures. Many people are concerned not only with financial security, but also with social acceptance and recognition.

The 49-year-old Carla Hermsdörfer is one of the thalidomide victims. Her arms are too short and most of her eight fingers are stiff. Compared to the magazine Stern she reports from her everyday life: „ My apartment has been rebuilt and re-equipped: higher work surfaces, low bath, special fittings that can be operated with one finger without effort, a shower toilet, which is on prescription. But you have to ask yourself from the health insurance: Why do you need a shower toilet? If a person like me is there with the recipe, it should be clear to everyone that a person with short arms never reaches his butt in life. The question can not be asked.“

Affected created demand catalog
The Federal Association of Thalidomide victims has drawn up a list of demands, which is aimed equally at Grünenthal and the Federal Government. In summary, it includes the full reimbursement of all expenses due to the disability, financial security in old age, due to the increasingly occurring consequential damages the full coverage of a needs adapted support, care and assistance, disabled living, ensuring mobility for a self-determined life, integration into working life and more social acceptance.

Asked by the magazine if they feel forgotten today, 50 years after the thalidomide scandal, Carla Hermsdörfer answers: „ We have been in the Valley of the Forgotten for decades. The financial compensation, the Contergan pension, was doubled in 2009. Grünenthal still exists today, as we do. After more than 50 years, it is time for the Wirtz family to take their responsibilities and actions. Her arrogant and ignorant attitude I find extremely disgusting. We also face our lives and our problems.“

Since 2007, the active substance thalidomide is again approved in Germany
Since June 2007, the active ingredient thalidomide has been approved under strict conditions in Germany. Amongst others, a so-called T-prescription for the indication is required „Multiple myeloma“. This is a cancer of the bone marrow. Manufacturer of the drug is a US company, to the Grünenthal claims to have no business connections.

In Latin America, thalidomide is used against leprosy. Regrettably, the strict requirements are not always met, so that the drug also reaches women of childbearing age and pregnant women. Malformations in children are the result. (Ag)

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Picture credits: Ernst Rose