London (CNN) -- So, after a mere half-century, German pharmaceutical firm Gruenenthal has decided to apologize for the devastating effects its drug, thalidomide, had on thousands of babies and their families around the world, myself included. Is this a reason to celebrate? Is it even a reason for cautious optimism, or is it simply a piece of news management designed to salvage what is left of its corporate reputation?

Gruenenthal's chief executive, Harald Stock, made the apology Friday as he inaugurated a memorial to those affected in Stolberg, Germany, where the company is based.

I was aware of Herr Stock long before his name was flashed around newsrooms all over the world when he made his momentous announcement.

Together with others, I've been campaigning for justice for the global thalidomide community for the past decade.

At one point Herr Stock, who replaced Sebastian Wirtz as head of Gruenenthal, agreed to a meeting.

We held preliminary discussions, however the process broke down acrimoniously before we ever got to meet Herr Stock after it became clear to all of us that the company had no intention of negotiating a lasting settlement -- one that would have kept them out of the headlines forever and which would have left the Wirtz family with its considerable fortune intact.

Personal account: A life shaped by bad medicine

So why the apology now? I think it is not unconnected with successful litigation in Australia that has resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement for a hitherto unrecognized thalidomide survivor, Lynette Rowe. Although the settlement was achieved at the expense of the British and Australian successor company to the distributor of thalidomide, Diageo, Gruenenthal was also named in proceedings. The writing was spray-painted on the wall for Mr Stock and the board of Gruenenthal.

Answer the following questions:
1. Did someone apologize?
2. Who?
3. Of what company?
4. What was his name?
5. When did he apologize?
6. Was someone replaced?
7. Who was replaced?
8. Who replaced him?
9. In what position?
10. How long was the campaign?
11. Where was the company based?
12. What city in germany?
13. What was he apologizing for?
14. Effects of what drug?
15. How many were affected?
16. Were only adults affected?
17. Who were all affected?
18. What was inaugurated?
19. When?
20. Was Stock unknown prior?
1. Yes
2. The chief executive
3. Gruenenthal
4. Harald Stock
5. Friday
6. yes
7. Sebastian Wirtz
8. Herr Stock
9. The head of Gruenenthal
10. Over 10 years
11. Germany
12. Stolberg
13. Bad drug effects
14. thalidomide
15. 1000s
16. No
17. Babies and their families
18. A memorial
19. Friday
20. No