A FAMILY is leading a campaign that could cost Europe s largest drugs company thousands of pounds in compensation. David West of St Peter s Avenue, Arlesey, has been given until October 1 to register his compensation claim in the High Court against Sanofi

A FAMILY is leading a campaign that could cost Europe's largest drugs company thousands of pounds in compensation.

David West of St Peter's Avenue, Arlesey, has been given until October 1 to register his compensation claim in the High Court against Sanofi-Synthelabo after his daughter Jane was born with foetal anti-convulsant syndrome (FACS).

Jane, 10, is currently a pupil at Sunnyside School, Biggleswade, and her parents have been told she will need care for the rest of her life.

Mr West, 45, said Jane was born with FACS after his wife Brenda, 40, took the drug Epilim to control her epilepsy while she was pregnant.

Mr West is also alerting couples who have children with FACS to urgently make a claim against Sanofi-Synthelabo.

"I am very lucky to have a lovely daughter, but each day she suffers the damage caused by the medicine my wife took when she was pregnant," he said.

"While we do everything to ensure Jane has the care and equipment she needs, it is expensive and we feel strongly that the company whose products caused these problems should face its responsibilities and meet the extra costs we face."

Mr West added: "We need financial compensation so Jane has a secure life. My wife and I are not going to be around forever so this is a chance to give her some security after we have gone.

"We are also alerting other families to make their own claims through the action group Foetal Anti-Convulsant Litigation.

"We must fight for our children so they have a secure future.