• In Spain Thalidomide was sold since May 1961 under the trade names “Softenon”, “Imidan” and others. It stayed on the market until May 1962, in some places even longer. The public was never properly informed of why Thalidomide was banned in other countries. Pills were still in circulation even after the drug was officially off the Spanish market. Pregnant mothers, completely unaware of the danger, continued to take it.

• According to the Spanish Thalidomide organization Avite, at least 3,000 babies were injured by Thalidomide in Spain. Many of them died in early infancy. Today Avite represents about 300 Spanish survivors.

• Unlike in other countries, for the longest time there was no public discussion about the connection between Thalidomide and the malformations. It wasn’t until 2010 that the Spanish government paid financial compensation to survivors. But only 23 of them received money and only one single lump sum ($1.35 million for 23 people). Grünenthal did not contribute to this payment.

• In 2013 Spanish survivors won a milestone case. A court in Madrid ordered Grünenthal to compensate 22 Spanish Thalidomiders. One of their charges against Grünenthal: They didn’t properly and urgently inform health authorities in Spain of why the drug had to be taken off the market immediately.

• Grünenthal appealed and won. Two Spanish courts decided the case was past the statute of limitations. Spanish Thalidomiders appealed but were overruled by the Spanish Constitutional Court in July 2016.

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