Thalidomide: the Fifty Year Fight (Original title)
Date: 15 May 2014 (Television)Country: United KingdomDirector: Stuart Strickson
Synopsis: Between 1959 and 1963 hundreds of babies were born deformed because mothers took a new drug, Thalidomide, in early pregnancy for morning sickness. Fifty years on, campaigners recall the ten year campaign through the courts to get compensation from Distillers (who marketed the drug). Today the campaigners now pursue the German drug company for compensation. When a £3.25 million settlement, with a confidentiality clause, was offered to families by Distillers, David Mason, an art dealer, with a daughter affected by Thalidomide, refused to accept the offer. The outcome would be that Mason was removed as legal guardian to his daughter. Mason appealed and won. Reporting restrictions affected press coverage. The Sunday Times took up the story by focussing on the families. Jack Ashley MP campaigned in Parliament. A campaign began amongst shareholders. Mason sought the help of Ralph Nader for a boycott of Distillers products. In 1973 a settlement of £20 was reached.
Genre: Documentary
Subjects: Thalidomide, Compensation claims, Side-effects, Disabled people
TV Transmissions
Date: 15 May 2014Broadcast channel: BBC2Country: United KingdomTransmission time: 21:00-22:00Digital Terrestrial - Dialogue (original): English - Colour - Sound
Date: 15 May 2014 (Television)Country: United KingdomDirector: Stuart Strickson
Synopsis: Between 1959 and 1963 hundreds of babies were born deformed because mothers took a new drug, Thalidomide, in early pregnancy for morning sickness. Fifty years on, campaigners recall the ten year campaign through the courts to get compensation from Distillers (who marketed the drug). Today the campaigners now pursue the German drug company for compensation. When a £3.25 million settlement, with a confidentiality clause, was offered to families by Distillers, David Mason, an art dealer, with a daughter affected by Thalidomide, refused to accept the offer. The outcome would be that Mason was removed as legal guardian to his daughter. Mason appealed and won. Reporting restrictions affected press coverage. The Sunday Times took up the story by focussing on the families. Jack Ashley MP campaigned in Parliament. A campaign began amongst shareholders. Mason sought the help of Ralph Nader for a boycott of Distillers products. In 1973 a settlement of £20 was reached.
Genre: Documentary
Subjects: Thalidomide, Compensation claims, Side-effects, Disabled people
TV Transmissions
Date: 15 May 2014Broadcast channel: BBC2Country: United KingdomTransmission time: 21:00-22:00Digital Terrestrial - Dialogue (original): English - Colour - Sound