Mr Gordon said thalidomide was the ‘‘worst pharmaceutical disaster in the history of the world’’,and criticised Grunenthal for shirking its corporate and social responsibilities.
In September,Wendy Rowe,the mother of a thalidomide survivor,broke down in tears when she described as ‘‘insulting’’ an apology from Grunenthal 50 years after its morning-sickness medicine was pulled off the market.
Mrs Rowe’s daughter,Lynette,who was born without arms or legs,settled a landmark multi-million-dollar legal case against Diageo in July. Ms Rowe and her parents were in court on Friday but declined to comment.
Fairfax Media revealed in 2012 how Grunenthal ignored and covered up repeated warnings thalidomide could harm unborn babies.
Files from Grunenthal archives exposed a 50-year global cover-up. An estimated 10,000 babies worldwide were born with severe physical deformities because their mothers had taken thalidomide. It was claimed the manufacturer declared the drug ‘‘safe,non-toxic,without significant side-effects,suitable for children and babies,an effective treatment for nausea,sleeplessness and anxiety,and on which it was impossible to overdose’’.
But Grunenthal maintains it acted responsibly in the development of the drug,despite admitting it greatly regretted ’’the consequences of the thalidomide tragedy’’.
‘‘Grunenthal maintains that its actions were consistent with the state of scientific knowledge and the prevailing standards for pre-marketing and testing of the pharmaceutical industry in the 1950s,’’ the company said in a statement.
‘‘Grunenthal will continue to fully defend any litigation brought against it.’’
A history of thalidomide in Australia and New Zealand
1954German drug company Grunenthal obtains patent for thalidomide.
1957 Grunenthal launches thalidomide,a sedative also used to treat morning sickness and as a sleep aid. Sold in 46 countries under various brand names.
November 1961 Australian obstetrician Dr William McBride links thalidomide with birth deformities,as does German paediatrician Dr Widukind Lenz.
Grunenthal withdraws thalidomide from sale.
March 2,1962 Melbourne woman Lynette Rowe born without arms or legs. Her mother took thalidomide to combat morning sickness.
1970A criminal trial brought against several Grunenthal executives in Germany over thalidomide collapses.
1974Some Australian and New Zealand thalidomide victims win compensation.
July 2010 45 thalidomide victims in Australia and New Zealand who had been compensated in the 1970s obtain a further $50 million ex-gratia assistance payment. Came after case led by Sydney father Ken Youdale.
October 2011 Five plaintiffs launch class action against Grunenthal on behalf of Australian and New Zealand victims.
June 2011 Lynette Rowe class action launched against Grunenthal and British-based distributor Distillers Company (which became part of British company Diageo in 1997).
December 2011 Victorian judge dismisses bid to have class action tried in Germany.
July 18,2012 Diageo reaches multimillion-dollar settlement with Rowe and agrees to negotiate other claims in good faith.
Grunenthal says it will fully defend any litigation against it.
July 26 Legal documents reveal German medical professionals had been telling Grunenthal of their concerns about the link between thalidomide and children’s deformities for up to two years before the drug was banned in 1961.
August 31 Grunenthal apologises,50 years after pulling drug off the market.
December 2,2013 Australian and New Zealand class action claimants reach $89 million settlement with Diageo. Action against Grunenthal dropped.
February 7,2014 Victorian Supreme Court signs settlement.
AAP