Anatole Baldacchino, The Malta Thalidomide affair [book review]

Abstract

The due acknowledgment must be made that modern-day medicine has positively impacted humanity in general. The average longevity, for instance, has increased in a number of countries, particularly those that are affluent. Modern-day medicine has also mitigated, or otherwise eradicated, a number of illnesses and other medical conditions. However, modern day medicine has its dark side, which at least in part is caused by the greed of those running the pharmaceutical industry. Oftentimes, dangerous or otherwise unsafe or inappropriate medicine would adversely impact the health and well-being (or life itself) of those persons taking such medicine. In turn, this could also be emotionally devastating to their significant others, such as parents and siblings. [excerpt]