Thalidomide tragedy is considered as one of the darkest episodes in pharmaceutical research history. It was sold under the brand name immunoprin as an immunomodulatory drug. The drug was sold as a mild sleeping pill even safe for pregnant women. It was primarily prescribed in the late 1950s and the early 1960s as a sedative or hypnotic, it claimed to cure anxiety, insomnia, gastritis and tension. It was first marketed in 1957 in West Germany under the trade name Contergan. The German company chemie grunenthal developed and sold the drug. It later became apparent however that thalidomide resulted in several birth defects in thousands of children. It caused thousands of babies born worldwide to be born with deformed limbs.

Over 10,000 cases throughout the world were reported out of which only 3000(30%) survived. Those subjected to thalidomide while in the womb experienced limb deficiencies in a way that the long limbs either were not developed or presented themselves as stumps. Other effects included deformed eyes and hearts, deformed alimentary and urinary tracts, blindness and deafness.The negative effects of thalidomide led to the development of more structured drug regulations and control over drug use and development.

Today it is mainly used in the treatment of certain cancers (multiple myeloma) and of a compilation of leprosy.

Ajinkya Bapat

S.Y.B. Pharm

Tags: MET Institute of Pharmacy