A
new scientific study seen exclusively by the BBC indicates that the
drug Thalidomide is still causing birth defects in Brazil today. It's
been given to people suffering from leprosy to ease some of their
symptoms, and some women have taken it unaware of the risks they run
when pregnant.
Thalidomide
was first marketed in the late 1950s as a sedative. It was given to
pregnant women to help them overcome morning sickness - but it
damaged babies in the womb, restricting the growth of arms and legs.
About
10,000 Thalidomide babies were born worldwide until the drug was
withdrawn in the early 1960s. In most countries the Thalidomide
children became Thalidomide adults, now in their 50s, and there were
no more Thalidomide babies.
But
in Brazil the drug was re-licensed in 1965 as a treatment for skin
lesions, one of the complications of leprosy.
Leprosy
is more prevalent in Brazil than in any other country except India.
More than 30,000 new cases are diagnosed each year - and millions of
Thalidomide pills are distributed.
Researchers
now say 100 Brazilian children have injuries exactly like those
caused by Thalidomide.
"A
tragedy is occurring in Brazil... it is a syndrome which is
completely avoidable," says Dr Lavinia Schuler-Faccini, a
professor at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.
I
just hope this drug is not being taken in this country.
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