Rayner MP welcomes Primodos decision

A new report has been published that says the hormone pregnancy test Primodos caused “avoidable harm” to children.

Hundreds of families have been protesting for over four decades for justice from the effects of the test.

The Reporter has previously told the story of Susan Forshaw who’s son Andrew was born a month premature with a range of problems including Microcephaly.

Now an independent review has called the affair “a scandal” and Health Secretary Matt Hancock issued an apology of behalf of the NHS.

The review also called for the government and the manufacturer of the drug to fund a scheme for those affected to help them with financing costs.

Ashton MP Angela Rayner, who campaigned for her constituent Susan Forshaw welcomed the decision, saying: “I welcome these review findings and they will obviously bring relief to campaigners like my constituent Susan Forshaw, but the fight continues to make sure that the words are followed by real action from the Government.

“Susan has spent many years searching for answers and justice for her son Andrew. From the moment I met her, I was in total awe of her absolute courage and dignity in the face of such horrendous circumstances.

“Susan struggled to cope with Andrew’s behaviour throughout his childhood but she was repeatedly told that he was simply disruptive and she was left to cope with no additional support offered to her.

“It wasn’t until March 2016, when Andrew was 45 years old, that Susan discovered she had been given Primodos when she was pregnant. It was then that her quest for justice began and she shared her story with me.

“In November 2017, the UK’s Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) published its report on the use of hormone pregnancy tests and adverse effects. The CHM said the evidence did not support a causal link between the use of HPTs, such as Primodos, during early pregnancy, and adverse outcomes of pregnancy regarding either miscarriage, stillbirth or congenital abnormalities.

“I was disappointed at that decision and campaign groups called it a whitewash, an injustice and a betrayal. Research that was later uncovered in the Berlin National Archives and studies by several independent scientists produced comprehensive evidence that categorically concluded that a link exists.

“This week’s review is the first step towards justice. It’s heartbreaking to think that Susan and many others like her have had to go through life suffering and not knowing why their children were born with disabilities and abnormalities that could have been prevented.

“The independent review team have rightly called this ‘a scandal’ that caused ‘avoidable harm’ and recommended that the victims should be compensated to help them cope with the costs of care.

“I think Baroness Cumberlege summed it up perfectly when she said ‘I have conducted many reviews and inquiries over the years, but I have never encountered anything like this; the intensity of suffering experienced by so many families, and the fact that they have endured it for decades. Much of this suffering was entirely avoidable, caused and compounded by failings in the health system itself.’

“I sincerely hope Susan, and all those that have been affected by Primodos, take comfort from the review findings now that they know their concerns have finally been listened to and addressed.”