The German firm that made thalidomide has issued its first apology in over 50 years to the thousands born disabled as a result of the drug's use, but the apology has been rebuffed by groups working with victims.
Grunenthal's chief executive Harald Stock said in a speech on Friday that his company was "very sorry" for its silence towards the victims of the drug, which was sold to prefnant women as a cure for morning sickness in the 1950s and early 1960s.
An estimated 10,000 children worldwide were born with defects -- including missing limbs -- after their mothers took thalidomide, which was sold in nearly 50 countries before being pulled from the market in 1961.
In a translated copy of the German text published on Grunenthal's website, Harald said he wanted to express his company's "sincere regrets" and "deep sympathy" to all those affected, "their mothers and their families."
"We ask that you regard our long silence as a sign of the shock that your fate has caused us," Harald said in the speech.
"We also apologize for the fact that we have not found the way to you from person to person for almost 50 years."
Stock delivered the speech at the inauguration of a special memorial to thalidomide victims in Stolberg, western Germany, where the company is based.
He said that the drug "was taken by many women who had no reason to imagine that it could seriously harm their unborn children."
Stock said his company were taking steps to help the victims of the drug's use.
"We have learned how important it is that we engage in an open dialogue with those affected and to talk and to listen to them," he said.
"We have begun to mutually develop and implement projects with them, to improve their living situation and assist in hardship situations easily and efficiently."
But the apology was lambasted as pathetic, insulting nonsense by a law firm acting for Australian thalidomide victims .
"It is too little, too late and riddled with further deceit," Melbourne law firm Slater and Gordon said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement said the apology by German company Grunenthal should be seen in the context of its denial of responsibility in Melbourne woman Lynette Rowe's case.
In July, Ms Rowe, who was born without arms or legs, accepted a multi-million dollar settlement from the British company that sold Thalidomide in Australia.
Slater and Gordon lawyer Michael Magazanik says archives from the 1950s and 60s show the Thalidomide tragedy could have been avoided and Grunenthal needs to adopt a new approach to the tragedy.
Mr Magazanik says the company ought to properly acknowledge its responsibility, properly apologise to victims and sit down with victims groups and their representatives and negotiate a proper compensation package.
Lynette's mother Wendy sobbed and shook as she told reporters the Grunenthal apology was insulting.
"It's the sort of apology you give when you're not really sorry," she said.
She said the Grunenthal CEO, who spoke of the company being in silent shock, did not know what shock was.
"Shock is having your precious child born without arms and legs," Mrs Rowe said through tears.
"It's accepting that your child is not going to have that life that you wanted for her."
"Our family couldn't have gone into silent shock.
"We had to get up and face each day, every day and cope with the incredible damage that Grunenthal caused to Lynne and our family," Mrs Rowe said before breaking down with Lynette in tears at her side.
Meanwhile, Thalidomide Agency UK, which represents people affected by the drug in Britain, was also critical of the apology.
Freddie Astbury, the charity's head consultant, said the company needed to "put their money where their mouth is" rather than simply express regret.
Astbury, who was born in Chester in 1959 without arms or legs after his mother took the drug, said: "If they are serious about admitting they are at fault and regret what happened they need to start helping those of us who were affected financially."
