Thalidomide tragedy

The Thalidomide tragedy refers to a public health crisis in the late 1950s and early 1960s when the drug Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women as a remedy for morning sickness. Unfortunately, it caused severe birth defects, leading to thousands of infants being born with missing or malformed limbs and other serious health issues. The drug was withdrawn from the market, highlighting critical failures in drug testing and regulation. This incident prompted significant changes in pharmaceutical laws worldwide, leading to stricter safety standards for medications, particularly those used by pregnant women.