Brazilians Relive Horror Of Thalidomide
The Age
Tuesday June 1, 1993
The name thalidomide spelt horror for a generation of parents. Now the horror is back.
Thalidomide babies was what they called the thousands of armless, legless children born to women who took the sedative in the 1950s and 1960s. It was banned worldwide in 1962.
But today, thalidomide is back in use in Brazil to treat leprosy. Sold illegally with no prescription and no warning to buyers about its potential dangers, the drug is producing a new group of deformed infants.
A reporter working with a research team from `First Tuesday', a documentary series produced by England's Yorkshire TV, discovered 21 thalidomide victims, ranging in age from four to 23.
At least five babies died as a result of thalidomide-caused deformities. Nine women chose abortions after sonograms revealed the foetus was deformed.
Researchers found evidence that medical officials destroyed documents to cover up new cases.
Brazil's Health Ministry says use of thalidomide is strictly monitored and denies any children have been affected by thalidomide.
Not true, said Mr Francisco Nunes, president of the Movement for the Reintegration of Sufferers of Hansen's Disease _ leprosy. ``In many parts of the country thalidomide is not being used in a controlled form.
Movement leaders believe the cases uncovered are a small fraction of the true number. The group is not out to ban thalidomide but wants stricter controls and pensions for victims.
In the 1950s, thalidomide was billed as a wonder drug, 100 per cent safe, by its maker, Chemie-Grunenthal of Germany. Grunenthal even recommended it for pregnant women to prevent morning sickness. But many of those who took thalidomide gave birth to babies with badly deformed arms or legs, or other serious defects.
It was proven that Grunenthal had tampered with test results. In 1962, the company agreed to withdraw thalidomide from the market and, later, to compensate victims.
Scientists, however, found the drug is highly effective in alleviating a painful skin irritation caused by medication used to kill leprosy bacilli.
In 1966, thalidomide was reintroduced in Brazil to treat leprosy only.
The United States and other countries have used it in AIDS and cancer research.
Up to 500,000 Brazilians have leprosy. Brazil is the only country in the world producing thalidomide in large amounts.
The Government says thalidomide is available only through the public health-care system and with a doctor's prescription. But several chemists in Rio stock thalidomide. At one, the chief pharmacist offered to sell it without a prescription.
Official guidelines outlaw prescribing thalidomide for pregnant women and allow its use by women of child-bearing age only when absolutely necessary. But the poor and uneducated routinely take medicine without consulting a doctor. AP
© 1993 The Age