Australian Story: Season 24, Episode 4

24 - 4: A Bitter Pill

Introduced by Norman Swan, ABC Radio National Health Report

It's widely accepted nowadays that pregnant women shouldn't take any medication unless it's absolutely necessary.

But in the early 1960's that wasn't the case.

Reassured by their doctors, thousands of women around the world took the drug thalidomide as a treatment for morning sickness, only to be faced with babies born with catastrophic disabilities.

Born in March 1963, Lisa McManus is one of Australia's youngest survivors. She's leading a group who have taken their fight to Canberra's Parliament House, in a last ditch battle for recognition, compensation and an apology.