The manufacturer of thalidomide has apologised to the thousands of people born with disabilities as a result of their mothers taking the drug.

The drug was sold as a cure for morning sickness in the 1950s and 1960s.

The apology was issued as the company unveiled a bronze statue symbolising a child born without limbs because of thalidomide.

By the time the drug was pulled from the market in 1961, more than 10,000 babies worldwide had been born with a range of disabilities caused by the drug.

editorial@gleanerjm.com