Frances Kelsey

Frances Kelsey was a dedicated American pharmacologist and reviewer who worked for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In the early 1960s, she carefully scrutinized the approval of the drug thalidomide, which was linked to severe birth defects in Europe. Her insistence on thorough evaluation and refusal to approve the drug in the U.S. prevented thousands of tragic cases of birth deformities. Kelsey’s diligence and commitment to public health helped establish stronger drug safety regulations and earned her widespread respect as a guardian of consumer safety.