Latest information

You can find the latest information regarding Thalidomide here, together with infographics and other useful resources to download.

February 28, 2024
Grünenthal Foundation and Thalidomide-affected people plan a “Place of Knowledge” to support collaborative projects
The Grünenthal Foundation for the Support of Thalidomide-Affected People and the Federal Association of Thalidomide Victims launched a joint project during their second dialogue forum.
View more
December 20, 2023
Grünenthal welcomes national apology for Thalidomide survivors by Australian Prime Minister
On November 29th, 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued an apology in the name of the Australian Parliament for the role of the Australian government in the thalidomide tragedy. The apology was addressed at Australian thalidomide survivors, who have been campaigning for recognition for years.
View more
February 28, 2023
Grünenthal Foundation and German Federal Association of Thalidomide Victims plan joint Dialogue Forum
Aachen, Germany, February 28th, 2023 – The Federal Association of Thalidomide Victims (Thalidomide Association; Bundesverband Contergangeschädigter e.V.) and the Grünenthal Foundation for the Support of Thalidomide-affected people (Grünenthal Foundation; Grünenthal-Stiftung zur Unterstützung von Thalidomidbetroffenen) announced a new platform for joint dialogue. After continuously intensified personal and informal contact over the last years, a joint Dialogue Forum shall now provide a new institutionalized framework for the exchange between those affected by Thalidomide and the Grünenthal Foundation.
View more
January 1, 2023
Grünenthal Foundation: higher allowances in 2023 to offset the impact of inflation
Aachen, Germany, January 2023 – The Rising inflation also had an impact the individual mobility and a barrier-free home projects of Thalidomide-affected people, making many of the urgently needed conversion projects significantly more expensive. The Grünenthal foundation will therefore increase the maximum allowance.
View more
December 1, 2022
How an initiative for supporting cases of hardship became a place of knowledge
Germany, December 01, 2022 – 2012 marked the launch of the Grünenthal Foundation for the Support of Thalidomide-Affected People. It aims to improve quality of life for people harmed by Thalidomide and it is committed to supporting the holistic inclusion of Thalidomide-affected people within society.
View more
November 27, 2021
60 Years after the market withdrawal: Dr. Michael Wirtz apologises to those affected on behalf of his family
On the 60th anniversary of the market withdrawal of Thalidomide, Michael Wirtz apologises to those affected on behalf of his family.
View more
March 22, 2021
Grünenthal welcomes the early payout of the special payment by the Contergan Foundation
Grünenthal supports the public ambitions of the Contergan Foundation to facilitate an early payout of the remaining foundation capital to people affected by thalidomide. The exchange between Grünenthal and the affected parties made it clear that a larger, early payout now would make a greater contribution to improving their living situation than the annual special payments made to date.
View more
December 14, 2020
The end of the criminal proceedings against Grünenthal: 50 years later
50 years ago today, the Aachen Regional Court terminated the Thalidomide proceedings against nine Grünenthal senior employees. The criminal trial is still considered one of the most complex and costly proceedings in German legal history. The legal and medical questions concerning the Thalidomide tragedy were complex and difficult to answer.
View more
July 10, 2020
Statement on the Assistance for Thalidomide-affected People in Australia
Yesterday, the Australian Government has announced a programme to financially support people affected by thalidomide. The proposal has been prepared by the Minister of Health after a request from the senate in 2019.
View more
June 24, 2020
German federal parliament strengthens legal certainty for Thalidomide-affected people
The German federal parliament adopted an amendment to the Contergan Foundation Act on 19 June 2020, whereby benefits to thalidomide victims, once granted, cannot be revoked. This includes the thalidomide pension, which is paid by the Contergan Foundation. Only in special cases, such as deliberate deception, is it possible to withdraw benefits.
View more

Downloadable material

Please make use of the following material. However, we kindly ask that you reference “Grünenthal GmbH” as the source.

Infographic: “Financial resources for people affected by thalidomide”

Download

Contact

You can find the contact information for public, media and people affected by Thalidomide here.

External Link

Latest information

Grünenthal Foundation and Thalidomide-affected people plan a “Place of Knowledge” to support collaborative projects

Grünenthal welcomes national apology for Thalidomide survivors by Australian Prime Minister

Grünenthal Foundation and German Federal Association of Thalidomide Victims plan joint Dialogue Forum

Grünenthal Foundation: higher allowances in 2023 to offset the impact of inflation

How an initiative for supporting cases of hardship became a place of knowledge

60 Years after the market withdrawal: Dr. Michael Wirtz apologises to those affected on behalf of his family

Grünenthal welcomes the early payout of the special payment by the Contergan Foundation

The end of the criminal proceedings against Grünenthal: 50 years later

Statement on the Assistance for Thalidomide-affected People in Australia

German federal parliament strengthens legal certainty for Thalidomide-affected people

Downloadable material

Infographic: “Financial resources for people affected by thalidomide”