Thalidomide : a second chance?.

Date:
2004
  • Videos

About this work

Description

Documentary looking at the history of the drug thalidomide. The first part of the programme examines the discovery of the drug in Germany in 1954 and subsequent popularity as 'Distaval', prescribed as a tranquiliser for anxiety and morning sickness. It turned out to be one of the biggest disasters in medical history when women in the early stages of pregnancy who took even just one dose of the drug gave birth to children with stunted arms and legs. The drug was banned in 1962 but 3 years later was used to successfully treat the skin lesions of ENL (erythema nodosum leprosum), a side effect of leprosy. It has also been used to treat painful ulcers in Behcet's Disease sufferers. It was found that Multiple Myeloma, a form of blood cancer, was brought under control through the use of thalidomide, but there are side effects that can lead to Neuropathy. An alternative drug, Revimin, has been developed which appears to hold no risk of birth defects or side effects. Thalidomide caused a revolution in the way scientists think about treatment of cancer and the programme ends by suggesting that because of this, the drug may be 'making amends' for the horrors it was previously responsible for.

Publication/Creation

United Kingdom : BBC 2, 2004.

Physical description

Videocassettes (VHS) (40 min.) : sound, color, PAL.

Series

Notes

Broadcast 12 Feb 2004.

Creator/production credits

Written and Produced by Jill Marshall; Series Editor Matthew Barrett.

Copyright note

BBC Television.

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    1566V
  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    1566V

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