Business EthicsCase Study on

The Canadian Tragedy Group Members:

Kamish Karim Sidra Sarfaraz

Ali younusNoman TajSyed Anas

Abdali

REFERENCEwww.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…

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.

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.

When thalidomide was taken during pregnancy, it caused Startling Birth

Malformations, and Still Born.

For those babies who survived, birth defects included: DeafnessBlindnessDisfigurementCleft palateMany other internal

disabilities

Although it was withdrawn from the West German and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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thalidomide

Survivors

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.

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

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.

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.

Other (internal organs/medical

conditions)

Stomach problems and digestive difficulties.

Muscle problem.

Heart problems.

Constipation.

Malformations of liver, kidneys, lungs 

For Men:• Lack of fertility• Complete infertility

Issues• Leading to testicular

cancer.

For Women Problems of:• Miscarriages.• Still Born• Startling Birth

Malformations

Reproduction Problems

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.

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.

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.

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Where Do We Stand ?

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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.

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SECOND GENERATION BIRTH DEFECTS

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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.

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AVAILABILITY OF OTHER DRUGS

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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.

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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

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