The thalidomide tragedy: the struggle for victims' rights and improved pharmaceutical regulation.

The thalidomide tragedy in the late 1950s was a watershed moment for pharmaceutical regulation. New uses for this medication are being researched and implemented today. This article revisits the history of thalidomide and its consequences for regulation and for victims' rights in Brazil, based on a literature review, documentary analysis, and newspaper reports. The events highlighted herein show the lack of strong standards for safe medication use, as well as how the tragedy was transformed into a public problem through its divulgation in the press; the article also shows that the increasing mobilization of victims was essential in pushing for more effective drug regulations.