Thalidomide (noun)

A sedative drug that was marketed as a treatment for morning sickness during pregnancy, but caused birth defects in many infants.

Origin:

From the name of the pharmaceutical company that first developed the drug.

Examples:

1. The use of thalidomide in the 1950s and 1960s caused a public health disaster, with thousands of babies born with birth defects.
2. Thalidomide was banned in many countries after the extent of its harmful effects became clear.
3. The thalidomide tragedy led to stricter regulations on the testing and approval of drugs.
4. Many victims of thalidomide are still living with its effects, including missing limbs, deafness, and blindness.
5. Thalidomide is now used as a treatment for certain medical conditions, including multiple myeloma and leprosy, under close supervision.