The Grünenthal Group said it regretted the consequences of the drug, which was used to combat morning sickness but led to the births of children without limbs or with shortened limbs during the 1950s and 60s. Thalidomide was pulled from the market in 1961 after it was linked to birth defects and many victims have only recently received compensation. The company's chief executive, Harald Stock, said Grünenthal had failed to reach out "from person to person" to the victims and their mothers over the past 50 years. "Instead, we have been silent and we are very sorry for that."...The apology was rejected as insufficient by the Thalidomide Agency UK, which represents people who were affected by the drug in Britain.