REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore has signed a cross-party letter urging government action on Diethylstilbestrol (DES) scandal.
Mr Bloore has joined 36 cross-party MPs in demanding urgent Government action on behalf of victims affected by Diethylstilbestrol (DES) – a drug prescribed to thousands of pregnant women between the 1940s and 1970s which has since been linked to cancer, infertility and severe reproductive health complications.
Coordinated by Jessica Toale MP and sent to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the cross-party letter calls for an official government apology, improved NHS awareness and training on DES and dedicated support for affected families.
The campaign follows a major ITV News investigation which revealed widespread and long-lasting harm caused by the drug, as well as failures in regulatory oversight that allowed DES to be prescribed long after risks were first identified.
It is estimated up to 300,000 women in the UK may have been exposed – with devastating consequences for them and their children.
Mr Bloore said: “Before Parliament broke for summer recess, I was proud to join MPs from across the political divide in demanding justice for the victims of the DES scandal.
“I’ve heard from families in Redditch affected by this drug – their experiences are harrowing and have often been overlooked or ignored for decades.
“The government must take immediate, meaningful action, issue a formal apology, invest in better training for NHS staff and create clear pathways for diagnosis, treatment and support.
“These women and their families have suffered in silence for far too long – and they deserve to be heard.”
The ITV report has already prompted hundreds of people to come forward, with many only recently discovering they were exposed to DES and may be at increased risk of rare cancers or infertility.
In light of this, the MPs are also urging the government to proactively raise public awareness and ensure at-risk individuals can access appropriate cancer screening and medical advice.
Mr Bloore added: “We’ve seen the tragedies of the infected blood scandal, thalidomide and now this.
“It’s time to learn from these mistakes, not repeat them.
“I will continue to stand with those affected in Redditch and across the country until justice is done.”
