British thalidomide victims may get funds

LONDON, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- British victims of thalidomide, an anti-morning sickness drug, may soon receive an average of $30,000 from the government, the health minister said.

The government is still considering its settlement for the 460 remaining victims whose mothers took the drug in the 1950s and 1960s, which would include a public apology for its role in authorizing the drug, the Times of London reported Sunday.

The persons affected by the drug were born with brain damage or deformed arms and legs and are now facing mounting medical and living costs as they age and they must cope with the unnatural stresses on their bodies, the newspaper reported.

Mike O'Brien, the health minister, proposed paying approximately $13,000,000 per year to the Thalidomide Trust, using health funds supplemented by money from the central government.

"We are hoping that a deal can be agreed in a very short time," said Nick Dobrik, head of the "thalidomiders'" campaign.