3*— r* 

 iKi 



Rights to markt't the drug were sold to pharmaceutical firms in many 

 countries, and in one way or another tlie drug found its way into 

 (among others) England, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Belgium, 

 Holland, Finland, iSpain, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, 

 Italy, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Greece, Pakistan, India, Japan, 

 and Brazil. (According to some accounts, it was widely used through- 

 out many Latin American countries. )^° 



Thalidomide was sold under many trade names; in addition to its 

 production by foreign companies under license, it was incorporated in 

 many drug mixtures. An unconfirmed report, in Switzerland, described 

 a list of nearly 100 drugs or brand names for preparations containing 

 thalidomide. However, the accompanying list of 53 such items was 

 collected by Dr. Taussig and presented in an article in the New England 

 Journal of Medicine. 



Trade names under ivliich thalidomide was marketed °' 

 Trade name, 5-100 mg. amount 



A particular virtue of thalidomide as a sleeping potion was that, 

 unlike many other preparations for this purpose, it was not found 

 harmful when taken in excess. According to the Merrell Co. — 



Of particular importance, an overdose of thalidomide did not induce depression 

 of respiration and heart action, which eliminated the possibility of accidental 

 death and suicide through its use. Clinical reports have been published on 17 

 persons who survived following ingestion of excessive amounts of the drug. One 

 intended suicide ingested 144 times the usual dose. There are unpublished reports 

 on many other intended suicides. No deaths from overdosage are known.^^ 



In retrospect, it seems altogether reasonable that an American com- 

 pany should seek the U.S. distribution rights to this successful Ger- 



™ Humphrey hearings, pt. 4, op. clt., pp. 1920-1923. 



" Reprinted in Humphrey hearings, pt. 4, op. cit., p. 1921. Reference to Swiss list is on 

 p. 1923. 



«2 Circular letter, op. cit., Humphrey hearings, pt. 1, op. cit., p. 121. 



