“Frances Kelsey: Thalidomide’s Unsung Hero

KingDraw
Mar 27, 2024

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Daily molecule, Thalidomide

In 1937, Frances Kelsey, at the age of 23, witnessed the tragic consequences of an unsafe drug during the “Elixir Sulfanilamide incident.” Over twenty years later, in 1960, she joined the FDA and faced her first task: reviewing the morning sickness drug Thalidomide. Thalidomide was touted as a safe option for pregnant women, but Kelsey, aware of potential risks, demanded thorough safety data, ultimately preventing its approval in the U.S. Despite global tragedies caused by Thalidomide, Kelsey’s steadfastness spared the U.S. from similar devastation, earning her recognition as a silent hero.

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