Thalidomide disaster

1957 – 1960s

In the unregulated market of the 1950s, Thalidomide was a pharmaceutical innovation. The ‘perfect sleeping pill’ was safe enough to prescribe to pregnant women to ease morning sickness. In Germany the drug was even available without a prescription. This wonder drug was aggressively marketed in 46 different countries under various brand names, such as Distaval, in the UK.

Thalidomide caused severe birth defects such as deformed or missing limbs, deformed eyes, ears and hearts. Worldwide, over 24,000 children were born with thalidomide-related disabilities, and half of them died shortly after birth. The Thalidomide disaster is the worst drug failure in history.

It is difficult to recognize that this terrible failed drug led to anything positive. The horrific magnitude of the disaster led to strict regulation of the pharmaceutical industry in many countries. The heavy regulation of drug safety in the aftermath of Thalidomide has ultimately saved millions of lives.

Additional info:
Sciencemuseum.org.uk – Thalidomide changed our relationship with new medicines for ever.
Wikipedia
Northwestern.edu – Thalidomide tragedy, lessons drug safety and regulation.