HORMONE PREGNANCY TEST DRUGS

Early day motion 250, tabled 21 June 2012 by Yasmin Qureshi (Labour). Signed by 42 members.

That this House notes that children were born with serious deformities due to hormone pregnancy test drugs taken by expectant mothers between 1953 and 1975; further notes with concern that as the surviving victims enter their forties and fifties many of them face a host of new problems as their bodies continue to suffer; further notes that no official warnings were issued about these drugs until eight years after the first reports indicated possible dangers; further notes that some doctors continued to prescribe the drugs for pregnant women after official warnings from the Committee on Safety of Medicines; further notes that the Department of Health in the past has continuously rejected requests for an inquiry into these matters; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health to set up an independent public inquiry.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Alliance 1, DUP 1, Green 1, Plaid Cymru 1.