Thalidomide victims seek $6.3 billion, 50 years on

Half a century after the launch of the notorious morning sickness pill thalidomide, its surviving victims are demanding $6.3 billion in compensation from the German government and the drug's maker.

A newly formed group, the International Contergan Thalidomide Alliance (ICTA), yesterday kicked off a campaign for a global settlement in London with a planned demonstration outside the German embassy.

Thalidomide, sold under brands names including Contergan and Distaval, was first made by privately owned German group Grunenthal and marketed internationally to pregnant women.