‘a National Scandal’: Hundreds of Victims of Cancer-Linked Pregnancy Drug Call for Public Inquiry

A Silent Scandal: The DES Crisis

In 1970, Jennifer Bradley was prescribed diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic form of the female hormone oestrogen commonly known as DES. She was assured by her doctor that it was completely safe during pregnancy. However, this drug has had long-lasting and severe consequences for generations.

The DES Drug and Its Impact

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was prescribed to pregnant women from 1940 to the 1970s to prevent miscarriage, premature labour, and complications of pregnancy. It was also used to suppress breast milk production, for emergency contraception, and to treat menopausal symptoms in women.

In 1971, researchers linked DES exposure to a type of cancer of the cervix and vagina called clear cell adenocarcinoma, prompting US regulators to say the drug should not be prescribed to pregnant women. However, DES continued to be prescribed in Europe until 1978.

Victims’ Stories

Susie Martin, now aged 50, has undergone numerous surgeries and lives with a lifelong gynaecological condition due to her mother’s exposure to DES. She says the drug “has had a huge impact on my life,” causing sleepless nights, time off work, and emotional pain.

Susie Martin: “There was physical pain as well as emotional pain. It’s caused sleepless nights, time off work, and time away from my children.”

Campaign for Justice

A campaign group of over 300 people, including Susie Martin and her mother Jennifer Bradley, is calling on the government to launch a public inquiry into what they describe as a national scandal. The group believes that hundreds of thousands of women were given DES before it was banned in the UK.

Clare Fletcher, Partner at Broudie Jackson Canter Solicitors: “This is the silent scandal, with victims suffering in pain for decades with limited medical support and no government recognition for what they have been through. It is one of the most devastating pharmaceutical failures in UK history.”

The MHRA’s Response

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) acknowledged past errors, stating that their position was based on limited evidence at the time. They also noted that regulatory frameworks have significantly improved since then.

MHRA Spokesman: “We apologize for this error and for any distress caused to patients and the public. At the time of the communication in 1973, usage in pregnancy in the UK was considered to be much lower than in the US which, coupled with the lack of UK cases of affected children, led to the conclusion that communicating to doctors on the available evidence was sufficient.”

Government’s Role and Future Actions

The Department of Health and Social Care has stated that they are taking this issue seriously. The Secretary of State has asked NHS England to urgently work closely with local cancer alliances to make sure GPs are aware of follow-up guidance for those exposed to DES, so that those who could benefit from additional screening aren’t missing out.

Department of Health and Social Care Spokesperson: “The Secretary of State has been clear that he has been looking seriously at this legacy issue and carefully considering what more the government can do to better support women and their families who have been impacted.”

Conclusion

The DES scandal is a painful reminder of the importance of robust medical regulation. As victims continue to suffer from health issues linked to exposure, calls for justice are growing louder. The launch of a public inquiry could provide much-needed answers and support for those affected by this historic drug failure.