If you have been involved in the pharmaceutical industry for any length of time will recognise the thalidomide tragedy as one of the industry’s darkest hours. The Niche team thought that recent events should not pass without our comment.
Marketed as a sleeping pill that was so safe it could be used in pregnant women, thalidomide caused babies to be born with malformed limbs. After more than 50 years the manufacturer has apologised [1].
Thalidomide was developed in the 1950s by Chemie Grünenthal GmbH. During research, it was seen that it was almost impossible to get the drug to a level that would be harmful. This led to the idea that it was a very safe drug. At that time, though, the rules did not say that tests had to be done on pregnant animals. It was legal to buy thalidomide over-the-counter in Germany in 1956, and then it spread to other European countries. As soon as it was seen that the drug helped with morning sickness, it became very popular among pregnant women.
By the 1960s, doctors were worried about the possible side effects. Some people said that long-term use hurt their nerves. Reports began to emerge of children with severe congenital abnormalities born to women in Germany who had taken thalidomide. However, a link with the drug was not made until 1961. Before the drug was taken off the market, more than 10,000 babies were born with problems linked to thalidomide.
Mr Stock, Grünenthal’s chief executive, issued his company’s apology at the unveiling of a bronze statue symbolising a child born without limbs because of thalidomide. “We ask for forgiveness that for nearly 50 years we didn’t find a way of reaching out to you from human being to human being,” he said at a ceremony in the western German city of Stolberg, where the firm is based. He also commented: “We ask that you regard our long silence as a sign of the shock that your fate caused in us."
This was the pharmaceutical industry's perfect storm. However, the question remains as to whether Grünenthal could have acted earlier. The apology has not been universally well received, particularly by activist groups seeking further compensation. Some compensation has been paid, for example by thalidomide’s British distributor. Grünenthal has paid compensation to some victims of the drug, many in Germany, but despite its outward expression of regret it has not admitted liability. Compensation claims are still outstanding, including one key class action in Australia.
It was encouraging to see so many partners at the 2017 General Assembly meeting last December
Congratulations class of 2024. That was all I needed to hear when I stood in your shoes almost 40 years ago. 40 years
Frights create a happy Halloween by providing the thrill of fear in a controlled and safe environment, turning what.
I have never been great at conferences. People don’t believe me but I am painfully shy and far too worried about what.
I've been studying medicine for 40 years, and it's beginning to look like something out of science fiction
Advisory board meetings are often used to address perceived knowledge gaps and build consensus.
Concerns about readiness of the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Clinical Trials Information System persist as the.
Investigator sites are very important to clinical studies because they make sure that new drugs are safe and work well.
The UK's world-class human challenge study gives us new information about SARS-CoV-2 cases that were mild in 36 healthy.
When I was younger, the opening lines of the Beatle’s seminal ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ resonated.
ive years ago I was lucky enough to be involved in a project that resulted in publications
Paraskevidekatriaphobia is a phobia of Friday the 13th. Yes, they actually gave it a name.
The largest pharmaceutical companies not surprisingly rely on the largest contract research organizations
Every year, a huge amount of scientific data is released. It's out there, but how do you find it?
Yes, it’s Star Wars Day again! The Star Wars films base their wow-factor on their adoption of science
Experience at Niche has taught us that clinical study protocols are born in the white-hot fire
In the past, Halloween has meant the end of the crop and the start of the dark, cold winter.
Have you seen our latest Insider's Insight on Case Reports? Once a staple of medical journals,
The clinical stage biotechnology company developing breakthrough therapies for patients suffering with cancer,
Get our latest news and publications
Sign up to our news letterResources
Social
Contact us
Address
Niche Science & Technology
Unit 26 Falstaff House
Bardolph Road
Richmond TW9 2LH
United Kingdom
