page_title: Thalidomide scandal
hierarchical_section_title: Thalidomide scandal
caption_attribution_description: English: Congenital malformation of the feet. Effects of maternal drugs - thalidomide. Selected by Tom.
context_page_description: In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the use of thalidomide in pregnant women in 46 countries resulted in the "biggest man‐made medical disaster ever," with over 10,000 children born with a range of severe deformities, such as phocomelia, and thousands of miscarriages.
  Thalidomide was introduced in 1956 and was aggressively marketed by the German pharmaceutical company Chemie Grünenthal as a medication for anxiety, trouble sleeping, "tension", and morning sickness. It was introduced as a sedative and medication for morning sickness without having been tested on pregnant women. While initially deemed to be safe in pregnancy, concerns regarding birth defects were noted in 1961, and the medication was removed from the market in Europe that year.
context_section_description: In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the use of thalidomide in pregnant women in 46 countries resulted in the "biggest man‐made medical disaster ever," with over 10,000 children born with a range of severe deformities, such as phocomelia, and thousands of miscarriages.  
  Thalidomide was introduced in 1956 and was aggressively marketed by the German pharmaceutical company Chemie Grünenthal as a medication for anxiety, trouble sleeping, "tension", and morning sickness. It was introduced as a sedative and medication for morning sickness without having been tested on pregnant women. While initially deemed to be safe in pregnancy, concerns regarding birth defects were noted in 1961, and the medication was removed from the market in Europe that year.
caption: Baby born to a mother who had taken thalidomide while pregnant
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