The document discusses the thalidomide tragedy in Canada, detailing how the drug, marketed in the late 1950s as a safe treatment for insomnia and morning sickness in pregnant women, led to severe birth malformations and disabilities. While many countries acted to compensate victims, Canadian patients were left to handle their grievances privately and faced significant obstacles in seeking justice. It also highlights ongoing health issues faced by thalidomide survivors and critiques the governmental negligence in addressing the repercussions of the drug.

1. Business Ethics
Case Study on
The Canadian Tragedy Group Members:
Kamish Karim
Sidra Sarfaraz
Ali younus
Noman Taj
Syed Anas Abdali

2. REFERENCE
www.thalidomide.ca/home/
www.thalidomide.ca/history-of-thalidomide/
www.thalidomide.ca/the-canadian-tragedy/
www.thalidomide.ca/many-faces-of-thalidomide/
www.thalidomide.ca/thalidomideajd_1805_en/
www.thalidomide.ca/cause-second-generation-birth-defects/
www.thalidomide.ca/45-years-later/
www.thalidomide.ca/malformations-caused-by-thalidomide/
www.thalidomide.ca/understand-the-risks/
www.researchethicsblog.com/2010/04/27/the-thalidomide-tragedy-
reminding-us-why-research-ethics-oversight-is-here-to-stay/
An 80% PICTORIAL CENSORED
PRESENTATION…

3. Introduction to Thalidomide
Thalidomide was synthesized in West Germany in
1954 by Chemie Grünenthal. It was marketed,
available to patients, from October 1, 1957 in West
Germany into the early 1960's.
Thalidomide became available in "sample tablet
form" in Canada in late 1959.
Thalidomide was available in a certain country when,
It Wasn’t Licensed There Between 1957-1962,
with different names.

4. The Canadian Tragedy.
Thalidomide, was hailed as a "wonder drug" that
provided a "safe, sound sleep". But Thalidomide was
also a catastrophic drug with tragic side effects
which was not realized until it was too late.
It became infamous as,
The Killer and Disabler of Thousands of Babies.

5. When thalidomide was taken during pregnancy, it caused
Startling Birth Malformations, and Still Born.

6. For those babies who survived,
birth defects included:
Deafness
Blindness
Disfigurement
Cleft palate
Many other internal
disabilities

7. Although it was withdrawn from
the West German and United
Kingdom markets by
December 2, 1961,
But it remained legally available in
Canada until March 2, 1962,
a full three months later.

8. Statistics of Affected Babies
It has been claimed that there were
between Ten to Twenty Thousand
Babies Born Disabled as a
consequence of the drug thalidomide.
There are approximately 5,000
survivors alive today, around the
world.

9. Action-Reaction in other countries Vs in
Canada
Around the world, in the late 1960's and into the
early 1970's, the victims of the drug thalidomide and
their families entered into class action legal suits,
against the various drug companies who
manufactured and/or distributed the drug, and they
were eventually awarded settlements based on the
level of disability of the individual.

10. Action-Reaction in other countries Vs in
Canada
In Canada, the story was quite different.
Canadian victims of the drug were forced
to go it alone, family by family.
Rather, families were forced to settle out-
of-court with gag orders imposed on them
not to discuss the amounts of their
settlements.

11. The Thalidomide Task Force
In 1987, the War Amputations of Canada established The Thalidomide Task
Force to seek compensation for Canadian-born thalidomide victims from
the government of Canada. as Canada left the drug on the market a full three
months after the majority of the world had withdrawn the drug, it was felt and
argued that the government of Canada had a Moral Responsibility to ensure
that thalidomide victims were Properly Compensated.

12. Extraordinary Assistance plan
In 1991, the Ministry of National Health and Welfare (now Health Canada),
through an "Extraordinary Assistance Plan" awarded small compassionate
lump-sum financial assistance grants to Canadian-born thalidomiders. These
payments were quickly used by individuals to cover some of the extraordinary
costs of their disabilities, and for most victims, these monies are long gone.

13. Thalidomiders now..
Thalidomiders are now in their early fifties
and they are experiencing physical
deterioration due to stress placed on their
different body structures, further limiting
their abilities, often resulting in new
disabilities, and therefore compounding the
tragedy.

14. Thalidomide
Survivors

15. Sight (Eyes) :
There were malformations(abnormality) at
birth due to thalidomide that affected our
eyes.
Other deteriorations(decline) are in long-
sightedness, short-sightedness, eye strain, and
blurred vision.
The other problem related to eye is headache.
The most common issues to deal with this
case is magnifying devices.

16. Hearing (Ears)
Thalidomide results in complete hearing loss
or deafness.
Many incidents of extra vulnerability have
been reported like, Ear infections, Speech
impairments and Learning difficulties

17. Dental and Oral
(Mouth and Teeth) :
Dislocation and pain of the jaw,
dental decay and tooth loss,
neuralgia, and general stress
have been reported.
Yellowing of teeth and
brittleness of teeth have also
been reported.

18. Nasal Issues (Nose) :
 Leading to many sinus
infections.
 Whereby simple colds and
flu become a more serious
problem.
 Thalidomide victims
appears to be depressed
nose bridges.

19. Other (internal organs/medical
conditions)
Stomach problems and digestive
difficulties.
Muscle problem.
Heart problems.
Constipation.
Malformations of liver, kidneys, lungs

20. For Men:
• Lack of fertility
• Complete infertility Issues
• Leading to testicular cancer.
For Women Problems of:
• Miscarriages.
• Still Born
• Startling Birth Malformations
Reproduction Problems

21. Neck, Shoulders, Arms :
Loss of movement in the neck.
Locking of necks and many
shoulder pains.
The arms, regardless of length,
experience pain from "over-use"
and unusual use.

22. Legs, Hips, and Feet :
Some thalidomide victims were
born with one or both hips
dislocated, or even
malformations of the hip.
Differences in length of legs.
Deep and painful cracks on
knees.

23. Backs (spine) :
• Pain is often a result of
overloading.
• Spinal cord compression.
• The restricted range of movement
of the upper and lower parts.
• Extreme back pain often has the
result of forcing individuals to take
hours to fully awake.

24. Page 24
Where Do We Stand ?

25. Page 25
Stand of Canadian Goverment:
More than One Hundred Canadians were born with
major birth defects. Moreover, this does not take into
account of those Who Did Not Survive OR Died in the
First Three Days of Life.
40% of the Thalidomiders died within 1 Year.
To this very day, the Canadian government remains in
Denial of Its Responsibilities and its obvious Negligence
in relation to the Thalidomide tragedy and has left the
Victims Virtually Uncompensated.

26. Page 26
SECOND GENERATION BIRTH DEFECTS

27. Page 27
THALIDOMIDE NOW…
UNITED STATES:
Since July 16, 1998, thalidomide
(THALOMID®) is licensed for use in the
United States.
CANADA:
Since August 4, 2010, Canada authorizes
the use of thalidomide (THALOMID®), who are
65 years of age or older.

28. Page 28
AVAILABILITY OF OTHER DRUGS

29. Page 29
Ethical & Moral Issues of
Thalidomide
• Not Properly Tested.
• Without Complete Testing Requirements, Thalidomide was given License.
• Testing were not done on Pregnant Animals.
• Thalidomide was given to Pregnant Patients.
• Distribution of Thalidomide Samples before Testing by authorities.
• No Legal Actions made to stop the distribution of samples.
• The drug company was lobbying the FDA to quickly approve the drug for
marketing.
• Consequence were always been denied by the Chief Chemist, until the end,
because of Legal Actions.

30. Page 30
Fifty Nine years ago, by Negligence, Lack of Professional
Ethics and A Very Poor Sense of Responsibility, our
Health System Leaders Failed In Their Duty.
Resulted in,
A Development of A New Phenomenon;
Thalidomide

31. Page 31