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MBS

(9,688 posts)
3. Long, but really worth reading
Sat Aug 8, 2015, 04:38 AM
Aug 2015

. .Not just for her long, inspiring life (besides her work -which she continued to age 90!- she married and raised two children, too while she garnered her multiple degrees), but also to learn the history of thalidomide and her key role in keeping thalidomide off the US market, standing firm against pressure from Big Pharma to get the drug on the market.
"Fussy bureaucrats" (albeit one with an MD and Ph.D. in pharmacology) save the day! It's because of her work, and particularly her role in the thalidomide incident, that the FDA no longer lets pharmaceutical companies release drugs to doctors for "testing" with patients before the drug receives approval from the FDA for commercial distribution (can you imagine that that should have ever been OK?!); and why the FDA insists, and should always insist, on solid scientific and clinical trials of new drugs .

What an inspiring woman. Here's to you, Frances Oldham Kelsey.

You did a wonderful thing for American families Mr Kelsey, thank you! haikugal Aug 2015 #1
She. murielm99 Aug 2015 #2
That's even better! haikugal Aug 2015 #15
*She* lived to a good age, and her contribution was at a time when it was rare to see women Gormy Cuss Aug 2015 #4
Indeed....so true! Thanks for the correction! haikugal Aug 2015 #16
Long, but really worth reading MBS Aug 2015 #3
K&R BumRushDaShow Aug 2015 #5
Rest in Peace, Dr. Frances Kelsey and thank you for your service. Uncle Joe Aug 2015 #6
R.I.P. Dr. Kelsey. HeartoftheMidwest Aug 2015 #7
This message was self-deleted by its author guyton Aug 2015 #8
Condolences to her family and friends. What a great person. greatlaurel Aug 2015 #9
Yet another female whistle-blower! They're like a terrier with a bone, once they suspect Joe Chi Minh Aug 2015 #10
K&R. JDPriestly Aug 2015 #11
A similar disaster will happen with GMO food. bananas Aug 2015 #12
Bullshit. Archae Aug 2015 #14
Because history is banned. Texas writes history. Fox "News" writes history. valerief Aug 2015 #18
History's not "banned." CBHagman Aug 2015 #26
That's funny Major Nikon Aug 2015 #24
Thank you Dr. Kelsey and a pox on those who would loosen regulations on food and medicine ... Scuba Aug 2015 #13
As a kid, I remember seeing other kids with those thalidomide arms. valerief Aug 2015 #17
Another good candidate for the $10 bill Demeter Aug 2015 #19
Well, she WAS Canadian. CBHagman Aug 2015 #27
My father was born with no arms, similar to the thalidomide babies being born all over Europe, FailureToCommunicate Aug 2015 #20
RIP, Dr. Kelsey, with our profound thanks. Hekate Aug 2015 #21
This is an example of what didn't happen here. Lionel Mandrake Aug 2015 #22
RIP (You did good!) nt Babel_17 Aug 2015 #23
Actually, she was born and raised in Canada daleo Aug 2015 #25
Frances Oldham Kelsey Elmer S. E. Dump Aug 2015 #28
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