Strategic council
The scientists, journalists and campaigners whose evidence and reporting underpin the APPG’s work.
An award-winning developmental biologist best known for research explaining how thalidomide causes birth differences. His lab’s studies of Primodos components in zebrafish embryos have provided fresh experimental evidence, and he has advised UK, German, Canadian and Australian government bodies.
Led the systematic review and meta-analysis of Primodos studies first published in 2018, covering over 70,000 women and finding an association between the drug and congenital malformations. Presented his findings to the IMMDS Review and continues to advise APPGs on the evidence.
Head of Cambridge’s Department of History and Philosophy of Science and a Fellow of Clare College. His research examines how expert committees have reasoned about the Primodos evidence, and he helped convene a Cambridge conference on the contested history of hormone pregnancy tests.
A founder of the field of pharmaceuticals and society within sociology, with three decades researching drug regulation. His work has scrutinised the relationship between medicines regulators and the industries they oversee, including the handling of the Primodos case.
Has led the campaign for justice for Primodos-affected families for decades and acts as secretariat to the APPG. Awarded a BEM in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2024 for her services to the campaign.
Led a six-year investigation into Primodos, culminating in the 2017 documentary Primodos: The Secret Drug Scandal, which uncovered archival evidence of correspondence between the UK regulator and the drug’s manufacturer.
Long-time investigative partner to Jason Farrell, producing Primodos: The Secret Drug Scandal and continuing to report on the campaign in the years since.
A senior parliamentary adviser with over 16 years’ experience in Westminster. Has coordinated the APPG’s work on Primodos since 2013 alongside Marie Lyon, helping secure six parliamentary debates, support from over 130 MPs and Peers, and three government-commissioned reviews, including the IMMDS Review.
Has provided legal expertise and support to the APPG’s campaign. Acknowledged in the Group’s 2024 report A Bitter Pill: Primodos for his contribution to the case for reform.