Pharmacia Ireland understands and respects the concerns of the families touched by events that led to the ongoing Dunne Inquiry.
We have co-operated fully with the inquiry since its inception - and will continue to do so.
While it has often been difficult to locate documents dating back more than 20 years - a situation that has been complicated by several corporate mergers since then - Pharmacia Ireland has made a concerted effort to identify and provide to the inquiry any documents relevant to its investigation.
This information has been made available promptly upon discovery.
Beginning in 1977 and continuing until 1985, Kabi Vitrum Limited - a predecessor company to Pharmacia - obtained pituitary glands from a number of hospitals in Ireland to manufacture Crescormon®, a human growth hormone.
Crescormon was administered to children suffering from growth hormone deficiency, a condition that inhibited their growth. Crescormon was intended to help children reach their normal adult height.
The glands were obtained during post-mortem examinations, consistent with prevailing medical standards. Full patient confidentiality was maintained.
Kabi provided reimbursement to pathologists and hospitals for the work involved. The sum was intended solely to defray any additional costs required to remove and store the pituitary glands.
Kabi stopped the production of Crescormon in 1985.
Today human growth hormone is manufactured using a synthetic component that was not available while Crescormon was on the market.