1 week Ago
A Bolton MP has called for a “fresh approach” from the new government on helping the victims of the notorious Primodos home pregnancy test scandal. The test was on the market between 1958 and 1978 and allegedly caused a string of birth defects. Last week longtime Primodos campaigner Bolton South and Walkden MP Yasmin Qureshi called on the newly elected prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to meet with her on the issue.
Addressing the House of Commons, Ms Qureshi said: “In 2020 the Government ordered an independent review that found Hormone Pregnancy Test drug Primodos had caused avoidable harm. “This was a drug like thalidomide that was given to women in the 1960s and 1970s and caused them to have babies with severe deformities. “They are now elderly mothers, in their 70s and 80s, carers to adult children with severe disabilities.
“For over 12 years, I stood in this chamber pleading with the previous government, repeatedly, to do the honourable thing for these families. “So, I ask the Prime Minister today, will he commit to taking a fresh approach on this issue? “And will he meet with me and campaigner Marie Lyon to discuss how we can give closure to these long-suffering families who have been denied justice for over 50 years?" ALSO READ: MP's call for compensation for families said to be affected by Primodos ALSO READ: Calls to implement recommendations of review into toxic pregnancy drug In response, Sir Keir said the Department of Health would be publishing a review on the controversy, which the government would follow. He also said the health minister would meet her to discuss the matter.
Sir Keir said: “I am sympathetic to the families who believe their children suffered from these tests and am committed to reviewing any new evidence which comes to light.”.
