In 1978 I was a working-class mother of two fantastic children, living a normal everyday life in the belief that people were inherently good – and that if they weren’t they would be brought to account and justice would be served. Which now seems incredibly naïve.
In 1970, my daughter Sarah was born with her left arm missing below the elbow. Eight years later I learned the two tablets given by my GP as a pregnancy test were responsible, when I was contacted by parents joining together to form the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests (ACDHPT).
Until evidence that Primodos was implicated in unimaginable damage to unborn babies, I wasn’t aware that the greed for money and power – and determination to protect reputation – would ensure justice wasn’t served. I was forced to face the reality that money, power and reputation are more valuable than truth, conscience and human compassion – and I felt a burning desire to expose all injustices suffered by UK patients.
I had no idea of the impact this would have on my life. In 1978 there was no social media, so publicity was via newspaper articles and visiting pubs and clubs with tin cans, which I did to raise funds and awareness even though I had two young children and a part-time job.
The ACDHPT was disbanded in 1982 due to the failed legal action, and I carried on my life with Sarah and my son Stuart, who was born in 1975. I hadn’t realised until 1978 how incredibly lucky I was that we had moved house and GP before Stuart was born and didn’t take Primodos again.
In 2012, the ACDHPT was reinstated and I agreed to take on the role of chairwoman. I had recently retired from my job as manager of a building society, so was willing to devote some time to managing the campaign.
What I hadn’t expected was that the ACDHPT would take over my life, but it was inevitable once I became aware of the true scale of evidence proving the destruction of records, suppression of evidence and deliberate manipulation of scientific evidence to protect profits and reputation.
The need to expose the inhuman and unforgivable actions of both government bodies and manufacturers became my one goal, and I will work seven days a week until this is achieved.
We need compassionate people who believe in truth and justice to help spread the word about Primodos, as it is still a relatively unknown and unforgivable tragedy.
Marie Lyon BEM
ACDHPT chairwoman
