The German company, which manufactured the drug thalidomide, has apologised for the first time to thousands of people for the birth defects it caused. The company, Gruenenthal, produced thalidomide in the 1950s and 1960s to help pregnant women suffering from morning sickness. Many campaigners say the apology is too little and too late. One of the campaigners said the apology came only after years of pressure. Harald Stock, chief executive of German pharmaceutical company Gruenenthal, said it was very sorry that it had remained silent on the issue. Stock spoke as he unveiled a bronze statue symbolising a child born without limbs because of thalidomide.