Thalidomide: The journey from curse to boon

Abstract

The tragic spectacle of thousands of infants born with deformed arms and legs at the beginning of the 1960s stunned the entire globe. The public's memory has been permanently scarred by the sight of those young people struggling with limb deformities. The medicine thalidomide, which pregnant women use for morning sickness and insomnia, was found to be responsible for the deformities in limbs and other organs. Thalidomide was sold in over 40 nations and was authorised for prescription usage in Canada from April 1961 to March 1962. Although the true number was likely greater due to spontaneous miscarriages and stillbirths, it resulted in around 115 occurrences of deformities in this country.Due to its expulsion from the medical toolbox, this medication became a term of demeaning for many years. However, thalidomide has emerged from the darkness of unimaginable tragedy. Though under stringent restrictions, it has made a remarkable recovery and entered the current therapeutic regimen. As a result of the discovery that thalidomide and its derivatives have beneficial effects on a variety of cellular functions, they are currently recommended for the treatment of a number of diseases, including leprosy and multiple myeloma. Before returning the medication to the market, the US FDA conducted a number of clinical trials. Additionally, the deaths connected to this agent stimulated legislation that expanded patient informed consent processes, redesigned the FDA regulatory process, and required more openness from pharmaceutical companies.