Austria
- Thalidomide was sold in Austria between November 1958 and December 1961 under the trade-name “Softenon”.
- At least 45 Thalidomiders are living in Austria today. 12 of them receive monthly pensions from the German Trust Fund.
- The Austrian government stepped up considerably late. It wasn’t until 2010 that Austrian survivors received money from their government. They were awarded the total amount of €2.8 million ($3.9 million).
- Since July 2015, 25 Austrian Thalidomiders (the ones who don’t qualify for the pensions from Germany) additionally receive monthly pensions of €425,80 (about $600, adjusted to inflation every year).
- Unlike in Germany, “Softenon” was only available on prescription in Austria, thanks to Ingeborg Eichler. The young pharmacologist was the only person who voted against the sale of “Softenon” as an over-the-counter drug at the Austrian Admissions Committee for Medical Products. Grünenthal’s animal tests with Thalidomide were inconsistent, she said.