The release of apology by a thalidomide German manufacturer, whose name I would not divulge, did not lead to acceptance nor reconciliation from the victims' side. Thalidomide use by pregnant women to stop morning sickness in the 60s led to conception of approximately 10,000 babies without limbs and other abnormalities.
Most of the victims come from Canada, Australia, Europe and Japan.
Fortunately, this drug didn't enter the Philippine market at that time when a drug ban was enforced. However, thalidomide use has gained approval in the Philippines as medical aid in treating bone marrow cancer and reducing leprosy-linked inflammations. For such reasons, this drug was re-registered in the Bureau of Food and Drugs between 1997 and 1998.
Thalidomide, a prescription medicine, cannot be purchased over the counter. Its known side effects include malformation of the embryo and lack of limbs in infants. Existence of such in infants born in the Philippines, however, is not attributed to thalidomide use but most probably associated with other diseases, viral infections or genetic abnormalities.
