Victims of the controversial pregnancy drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) are set to meet Health Secretary Wes Streeting today, intensifying their campaign for a full public inquiry into what they describe as a 'silent scandal' that has spanned decades. The group DES Justice UK (DJUK) is also pressing the minister to establish a dedicated NHS screening programme to identify individuals potentially at risk from exposure to the synthetic hormone.
The Growing Campaign for Accountability
DJUK, which now boasts over 500 members, represents a multi-generational cohort affected by DES. This includes women who were prescribed the drug, as well as their daughters, sons, and granddaughters who have subsequently suffered from a range of health issues. These complications encompass infertility, reproductive abnormalities, and a significantly heightened risk of various cancers, creating a legacy of medical and emotional distress.
A Drug Prescribed for Decades
Diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic form of the female hormone oestrogen, was widely prescribed to pregnant women from 1940 through the 1970s. It was marketed to prevent miscarriage, premature labour, and other pregnancy complications. Additionally, it was used to suppress breast milk production, serve as an emergency contraceptive, and treat menopausal symptoms. According to DJUK estimates, approximately 300,000 women in the UK were prescribed DES over this nearly four-decade period.
The turning point came in 1971 when DES was conclusively linked to clear cell adenocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the cervix and vagina. This discovery prompted US regulators to advise against its use in pregnancy. Despite this, the drug continued to be prescribed to pregnant women in Europe until 1978. Beyond the initial cancer link, DES exposure is now associated with increased risks of breast, pancreatic, and cervical cancers.
Personal Testimonies of Suffering
Susie Martin, a 55-year-old from Manchester whose mother took DES, has endured between 20 and 30 operations as a direct result of her exposure. 'The impact of this terrible drug cannot be underestimated as it has ruined and devastated so many lives, including my own,' she stated. 'The physical and emotional pain has been unbearable. I always have this impending doom hanging over me that I will need further surgeries or develop cancer, and I am far from the only one.'
Martin expressed cautious hope about the meeting with Streeting, but emphasised the need for concrete action. 'This has been the silent scandal for too long... While I am pleased that Mr Streeting is meeting us, it will only be significant if he actually pledges to do something for the victims of this shameful period in British medical history, including a screening programme and a full statutory public inquiry.'
Legal Calls for a Statutory Inquiry
Clare Fletcher, partner at Broudie Jackson Canter, the law firm representing DJUK, labelled the DES issue 'one of the biggest pharmaceutical scandals this country has ever seen.' She argued, 'The only way to get the truth is with a statutory public inquiry and I hope Mr Streeting will listen to us and give us the far-reaching investigation this scandal needs.'
Fletcher stressed the ongoing nature of the crisis, noting, 'The fact is that this isn’t a historic injustice as women and men continue to suffer today. It is a national disgrace that victims have been ignored, disbelieved and humiliated when all they wanted was fair treatment. It is time that they finally received some justice.'
Government Response and International Context
In November, Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the gravity of the situation in an interview with ITV News, stating that the 'state got it wrong' and offering an apology to the victims. He also encouraged individuals who believe they may have been affected by DES to consult their GP.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson reiterated the government's awareness, saying, 'There are harrowing accounts of harm caused by the historic use of Diethylstilbestrol (DES). Some women and their relatives are still suffering from the associated risks of this medicine which have been passed down a generation, and haven’t been supported.'
The spokesperson added that the Secretary of State is 'looking seriously at this legacy issue' and that NHS England has alerted all cancer alliances to ensure healthcare professionals are aware of DES impacts and existing screening guidance for symptomatic individuals.
This domestic scrutiny comes against an international backdrop where compensation schemes for DES victims have been established in countries like the United States and the Netherlands, highlighting the absence of a similar formal redress mechanism in the United Kingdom. Today's meeting represents a critical juncture for the victims seeking long-overdue recognition, support, and answers.
