Here in the U.S., we have lived with the confidence that the medications sold over the counter, by prescription or administered to patients in the hospital have undergone a thorough process to ensure their safety. The Food and Drug Administration has announced plans to use a reduced review process. The goal stated is to prioritize medications deemed as “supporting US national interests.” National interests can mean many different things to different people. FDA’s prime concern should always be public health.
Lesser drug regulations in other countries and years back in the USA led to many deaths and fetal deformities. One of the most famous drugs causing deaths and birth defects is thalidomide. It was used in the 1950’s-60’s in pregnant women for morning sickness resulting in thousands of major birth anomalies and deaths. A FDA pharmacologist Francis Oldham Kelsey was key in the FDA refusing approval despite intense pressure. He later received an award for his firm stance. Unfortunately millions of tablets had been disbursed in the USA. This drug and its consequences led to a strengthening of the FDA and other countries establishing drug testing organizations.
The historic and harmful mistakes of prior generations live on in pop culture. Billy Joel sings about “children of thalidomide” in his hit, We Didn’t Start the Fire. Fittingly, the song references many famous people and happenings causing issues that are left in the hands of the next generation to cope with.
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