In early 1961, doctors reported a number of cases of nerve damage.

As Kelsey reviewed and rejected each new application, news of thalidomide’s adverse side effects began to surface. Doctors reported cases of nerve damage in early 1961, and by fall, they’d unmasked a more horrible truth. Thalidomide, widely used by pregnant women, caused severe birth defects. Thousands of babies died in utero, and tens of thousands more were born with extra appendages, shorter limbs, or no limbs at all. In November 1961, thalidomide was pulled from the German market. Nonetheless, Merrell continued trying to get it approved in the US for several months before withdrawing their sixth and final application.