The surviving victims of the notorious morning-sickness pill thalidomide are demanding €4 billion in compensation from the German government and the drug's maker.
A newly formed group, the International Contergan Thalidomide Alliance (ICTA), began its campaign for a global settlement in London today with a planned demonstration outside the German embassy.
Thalidomide, sold under brands names including Contergan and Distaval, was first made by privately owned German group Grunenthal and marketed internationally to pregnant women. But around 10,000 babies were born with defects caused by the drug, ranging from malformed limbs to no arms or legs.
An estimated 3,500 victims are still alive today. ICTA campaign leader Nick Dobrik said compensation plans agreed in the 1970s were no longer enough to pay the bills.
Settlements also varied widely, with victims in Germany receiving only a fraction of their counterparts in Britain, and those in Italy and Spain getting no compensation at all.
"The original settlements were totally inadequate," Mr Dobrik said, pointing out that many middle-aged thalidomiders now face growing financial problems as their parents - and principal carers - become infirm or die.
group wants the German government to lead joint negotiations with Grunenthal to ensure every surviving victim with average levels of disability gets €1 million over 10 years.
Grunenthal, which paid a settlement in the 1970s, said it was not clear who ICTA represented or why it was authorised to make such demands, and it accused the group of "actively and aggressively" attacking the company. Grunenthal had decided to contribute voluntarily to the improvement of the quality of life for victims, it added.
The German government said it had recently taken steps to double the pensions of thalidomide victims, though it acknowledged that further measures would be necessary.