In this powerful installment of Dark History of Clinical Trials, we examine one of the most tragic and transformative episodes in pharmaceutical history: the thalidomide disaster.

Marketed as a safe sedative and morning sickness treatment in the late 1950s, thalidomide was distributed to thousands—only to cause severe congenital deformities and pregnancy losses across the globe. This catastrophe exposed critical flaws in drug testing, marketing, and approval processes.

In this episode, we uncover:

• The rise and reckless distribution of thalidomide
• The real human cost behind corporate and regulatory failures
• How this tragedy reshaped modern drug approval laws
• The birth of the FDA’s MedWatch program and tighter safety controls
• Why we now distinguish between OTC and controlled medications

Understanding this dark chapter is key to appreciating the safeguards we often take for granted today.