Statement from GSK:

‘As a company, we reflected on our response to the issues raised following the publication of the Commission of Investigation’s report and endeavoured to find a meaningful way to assist survivors and their families.

We recognised that many survivors were understandably seeking to access their personal information. To address this, we announced an enhanced information service in September 2021 for former residents of mother and baby homes regarding trials that took place between 1934 and 1973. We simplified our information request service and published trial summary documents for each of the trials, which you can find on www.gsk.ie/mother-and-baby-homes.

As of August 2023, we have responded to 202 information requests since 2011 from survivors seeking to find out whether they were a participant in a trial. Of the 202 information requests received, we’ve confirmed six individuals were participants in the trials. Four of those six individuals submitted their request and learned they were a participant in a trial following the launch of the enhanced information service in September 2021.

While we acknowledge the perspective of the Minister and others on the issue of reparations, we believe these measures represent the most valuable way to support those seeking further transparency in relation to the trials.

The trials described in the Commission’s report were bona fide and conducted by a number of experienced researchers. They were undertaken for the purpose of legitimate medical and scientific investigation into improvements to essential childhood vaccines and, in the case of two trials, infant milk products.

There is evidence that other clinical trials involving some of the products were undertaken, primarily in the UK, but also in other countries overseas and we know that several trial vaccines became commercially available in Ireland.

The independent researchers, as the individuals conducting the trials, were personally responsible for ensuring they were carried out with the licenses, permissions and consents required under Irish law and practice at the time. We are disappointed that, based on the available evidence, there were failings in the conduct of the trials, particularly in the context of seeking and/or receiving appropriate consents.

Importantly, there is no evidence that adverse injuries were experienced by children involved in these trials.

While the findings of the Commission’s report are extremely upsetting, they do not question Wellcome or Glaxo’s responsibilities and duties in developing, manufacturing, and supplying vaccines for the purposes described.

For this reason, we do not propose additional reparations in response to the issues raised. We believe the measures outlined - to simplify the information request service and the publication of trial summary documents - represent the most valuable way to support those seeking further transparency regarding the trials.

We would like to re-emphasise our sympathies to the women, children and families affected by the issues raised in the Commission’s report. Those currently searching for more information about their personal experience or that of a family member in relation to the trials can access our information service and the trial summary documents on www.gsk.ie/mother-and-baby-homes.’