Frances Kelsey

Where are the modern-day Kelsey’s when you need them?

Fifty years ago, Frances Kelsey revolutionised the regulation of prescription drugs. As a new FDA employee, she reviewed Kevadaon, known as thalidomide. She questioned the drug's safety:  "It just came with so many extravagant claims that I didn't believe," she said.

Kelsey took a stance against inadequate testing and corporate pressure, refusing to appr…