Pregnancy test drug did not deform babies, watchdog rules

HORMONE pregnancy tests do not cause birth defects, a watchdog has decided, prompting accusations of a Government cover-up and threats of legal action.

A three-year investigation by The Commission on Human Medicines concluded yesterday that the Primodos test, used by approximately 1.5 million people in the Sixties and Seventies, was not responsible for a range of problems such as deformity, brain damage and blindness.

Instead, the organisation recommended that the more than 236 families known to be affected undergo genetic testing to detect the cause of their conditions.

The watchdog did acknowledge there has been “far-reaching” advances in medical regulation, and recommended new safety measures to accompany modern medicines.

The Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests said the investigation had failed to review all the evidence. Marie Lyon, who chairs the group, said: “We are bitterly disappointed that the Government has once again let people down who have relied on them to be open and transparent.

“It is similar to the previous inquiries which seemed more inclined to protect the reputation of government agencies and the drug companies rather than looking after the health of the populations of the UK.”

Yasmin Qureshi, the Labour MP for Bolton South East, said she was “disgusted” with the new report, and said it should be subject to judicial review.