Pregnancy test drug victims are losing confidence in current inquiry (17 October 2016)

Labour and Conservative MPs criticise the public panel examining evidence that Primodos, a pregnancy test drug, is connected to birth defects.

MPs have warned that an inquiry into Primodos is becoming “a complete whitewash”. Primodos, a hormone-based pregnancy test used in the 1960s and 70s, is being examined over allegations that it has caused thousands of birth defects in babies.

Campaigners have named it ‘the forgotten thalidomide’. Margaret mother of Maxine, an alleged victim, begs the drug company to admit their faults. She firmly believed Primodos is what caused her daughter’s significant disabilities.

Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi has led the protests about the apparent failings of the inquiry. She believes there has been a 50-year cover up over the drug’s use and that the current inquiry was failing to improve matters. With reference to the UK regulator of medicines in the 1970s she has said that "there was a deliberate, criminal, negligent oversight by the then Committee on Safety on Medicine about this drug and its usage - and the fact that it continued to be prescribed for years and years despite the medical community mostly knowing it was causing adverse conditions."

Ms Qureshi was one of a number of MPs who have argued that the current inquiry has been opaque with the public and slow in its investigations. Concerns have also been raised by the victims of the drugs who argue that some evidence was not being properly examined.

The Commons gallery was filled with parents and alleged victims, many of whom claim to have been disabled by the drug. MPs told stories of alleged victims travelling for hours to meet the panel, but when they arrived they were only given three minutes to provide evidence.

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg added: "When at the heart of the matter is a regulator who took eight years to act, between 1967 and 1975, and then is investigating many years later what it had done, it is absolutely crucial that inquiry is seen to be independent and full."

The gallery burst with applause as Labour former minister Maria Eagle told Health Minister David Mowat: "If there is another whitewash, if this review doesn't work, these families and their Members of Parliament will not go away."

It is clear that the inquiry does not have the confidence of the families or their MPs, but Mr Mowat still insists the Government would take steps to regain their trust and will push the inquiry harder.

Conclusion of the panel’s findings is expected in the spring of next year.

Rebecca Thomas, Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis states: “The fact that the Independent Inquiry has failed to show any real progress in two years is a worrying issue. Unfortunately, the use of this drug is still allegedly effecting those involved 50 years later. The Clinical Negligence team at Duncan Lewis have extensive experience representing clients in proceedings against NHS Trusts for medical negligence.”

Duncan Lewis’ Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in claims for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals. We also act on behalf of clients in cases arising from obstetric, neo-natal, paediatric, anaesthetic, neurological, spinal, surgical, cardiac and emergency care.

For expert legal advice on clinical and medical negligence matters call Duncan Lewis on 0333 772 0409.