Commission intervention to obtain justice for thalidomide victims

6.7.2016

Question for written answer E-005523-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Mara Bizzotto (ENF) , Matteo Salvini (ENF)

On 25 June 2015, in response to Written Question E-010259/2015, ‘New actions of the Commission to support thalidomide victims’, the Commissioner for Health, Mr Andriukaitis, said that the Commission was considering taking ‘possible follow-up actions’ in order to meet the demands of European thalidomide victims.

A year later, 9 March, 2016, during the European Parliament part-session, Commissioner Andriukaitis himself reiterated the importance of ensuring that victims of thalidomide had financial support to cope with their increasingly large medical bills, recognising ‘the need to find a suitable solution for all survivors, which ensures their quality of life’.

Furthermore, in May 2015, the Canadian Government, assessing the long-term needs of 92 Canadian thalidomide survivors, decided to allocate an additional financial contribution of between 25 000 and 100 000 dollars a year to ensure they have a decent life and to cover their medical expenses.

In the light of Commissioner Andriukaitis' statements and following the example set by the Canadian Government, will the Commission not set up a negotiating table involving thalidomide victims, the Member States and Chemie Grunenthal, the company responsible for marketing the drug, with the aim of finally reaching a tangible solution to compensate and support the European victims of thalidomide?