In 1958 Thalidomide, marketed as a new ‘wonder drug’, was first used in the UK, promising relief from morning sickness for expectant mothers. It’s impact was devastating, leading to countless miscarriages and causing over 10,000 children to be born with a range of severe birth defects. Although it was withdrawn from the market in 1961, Thalidomide’s impact upon the lives tens of thousands of children and their families, who fought for decades for recognition and justice, continues to be felt to this day. 

Silent Victims: Part One, focuses on the life of Margaret Marjorie Millar – Madge – a mother lost in the fog of the drug’s tragic legacy. Told through meticulously transcribed medical case notes and interwoven with deeply personal reflections from Madge’s son, Gary Millar, Silent Victims offers a raw yet factual exploration of Thalidomide’s impact through the lens of one family, and is a call to reflect on the untold stories of all of the silent victims of the Thalidomide Scandal.

Published: 28/02/25
Publisher: Writing on the Wall
Author: Gary Millar
Pages: 327
ISBN: 978-1-916571-18-1