Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 1, 1993 TAG: 9306010026
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL LENGTH: Medium
"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 4 to 23.
At least five babies died as a result of thalidomide-caused deformities. Nine women chose abortions after sonograms revealed the fetus 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 that any children have been born with defects due to thalidomide.
Not true, said 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," Nunes said.
Movement leaders believe the cases uncovered are a small fraction of the true number here.
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 percent safe, by its maker, Chemie-Grunenthal of Germany. Grunenthal even recommended it for pregnant women to prevent morning sickness.
But many pregnant women who took thalidomide gave birth to babies with shortened and 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.
By then, 48 countries had reported about 8,000 cases, mostly in Germany, Japan and England. About 4,000 other children died shortly after birth.
But scientists found the drug is highly effective in alleviating a painful red 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.
by CNB