Hundreds of women who were exposed to a now-banned drug given on the NHS, dubbed "the hidden thalidomide", are launching a campaign for a public inquiry and compensation, after a year-long ITV News investigation exposed the scale of the medical scandal.
Stilbestrol, commonly known as DES, was a synthetic hormone prescribed to an estimated 300,000 women on the NHS between the 1930s and 1980s to treat several issues, including miscarriage, until it was linked to rare cancers and infertility in the children of those who took it.
More than 300 victims have formed DES Justice UK following ITV News’ reporting, which highlighted the failures of the health authorities to act on safety warnings about the drug’s sinister side effects.
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