-In an attempt to create a more secure sedative than those currently in use. Thalidomide was thought to promote sleep without producing respiratory depression, which was a common effect of other sedatives at the time, thalidomide was first seen as promising.

-The chemical formula for thalidomide is C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₄.

-Thalidomide was initially created in the late 1950s and early 1960s by the German pharmaceutical company Chemie Grünenthal.

- It was originally made available on the West German market in 1957 as a sedative and anti-nausea drug.

-Thalidomide was soon commercialized in many nations throughout the world as a result of its perceived safety and efficiency, which helped it gain popularity.

-Thalidomide caused birth defects and limb abnormalities in newborn children. This would happen to mothers who had taken the drug during pregnancy.

-This caused a condition known as phocomelia, which made the hands or feet attached close to the trunk, the limbs being very underdeveloped or absent. This condition was a side effect of the drug thalidomide taken during early pregnancy.

-Thalidomide also had many neurological effects and damage to the brain, leading to development and behavioral issues.

-The "Thalidomide Disaster" put the FDA on heavy notice. This prompted stricter regulations for the approval of new medicines and drugs, especially during pregnancy.

-40 years later over 10,000 people are affected by this worldwide.

-Chemie Grünenthal marketed thalidomide as a safe and effective sedative for various conditions, including morning sickness in pregnant women.

-Chemie Grünenthal faced severe criticism for its role in the thalidomide tragedy. The company eventually withdrew the drug from the market and faced legal action.

2. Health Regulators:

   - Health regulators both in Germany and globally were tasked with responsibly approving and monitoring the safety of drugs. The thalidomide incident led to stricter regulations in the pharmaceutical industry.

   -More rigorous testing and approval process for new drugs. Especially when it comes to ensuring the safety of a drug when taking it during pregnancy.

3. Affected Families and Individuals:

-Individuals and families affected by thalidomide faced significant hardships due to the severe birth defects caused by thalidomide. They seek justice and compensation for the people who were affected.

-Affected families took legal action against Chemie Grünenthal to seek compensation for all the damage they have done. This also played a role in awareness of the risks of certain medications during pregnancy.

-In Germany a criminal trial of executives of Grünen-

thal was opened in 1968. The case was that ‘they had put

on sale of a drug that caused an unacceptable degree of

bodily harm without having tested it properly.

-By the end of 1970, the proceedings of the trial were

suspended for good.

- In 1971, the Foundation for Handicapped Children

was established by the German government. The founda-

time was set up to design a compensation scheme funded

by the money Grünenthal had agreed to contribute

and by additional financial support provided by the Fed-

eral Government. A total of 2,866 thalidomide victims

were finally covered by the scheme and by the early 1990s

more than 500 million DM (about 255,646,000 EUR) had

been paid.

-40 years later 10,000 people are still affected world wide.

FDA Regulations  

Thalidomide: A Twenty-Five-Year Perspective  

The History of Thalidomide  

"Thalidomide Disaster"  

The Redemption of Thalidomide: Standardizing the Risk of Birth Defects  

 Brief History of U.S. Pharmaceutical Regulation

Defects And Disabilities Of Thalidomide Children