7/23/2024

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.

12/20/2023

On November 29^th, 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.

2/28/2023

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.

1/1/2023

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.

12/1/2022

Aachen, 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.

11/27/2021

On the occasion of 60 years after the market withdrawal of Thalidomide, Dr. Michael Wirtz, shareholder of Grünenthal, apologised to those affected and their families on behalf of his family. As company, we welcome this step.

3/22/2021

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.

12/14/2020

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.

12/14/2020

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.

10/7/2020

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.

6/24/2020

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.

7/1/2019

The pensions paid by the Contergan Foundation to people affected by thalidomide in Germany and abroad will be increased by 3.22 percent as of July 1, 2018.

7/1/2019

After more than 60 years, researchers at the renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston have succeeded in identifying the causes of thalidomide-induced congenital malformations.