Strong Medicine by Arthur Hailey

in a halfdozen male
    staff members who had been waiting outside in a secretary's office. After
    introductions they all moved to a conference area of the office suite,
    seating themselves around a table with Camperdown at the head.
    The newcomers included the director of research, Dr. Vincent Lord, a
    r~cently recruited, youngish scientist; an elderly vice president of sales
    who was shortly to retire; and four others, including Sam Hawthorne. With
    the exception of Sam-the only one Celia had met previously-the others
    regarded her with frank curiosity.
    The new drug under consideration, Camperdown explained for Celia's benefit,
    was not a product developed by Felding-Roth, but had been obtained under
    license from a West German company, Chemie-Griinenthal.
    "It is a sedative, one of the safest ever discovered," the president
    declared, "and it produces a normal, refreshing sleep without unpleasant
    morning-after grogginess." The product had no significant side effects, he
    continued, and was so safe it could be given to small children. The
    sedative was already on sale, and popular, in almost every major country
    except the United States. Now, Felding-Roth was fortunate in having the
    American rights.
    The name of the drug, Mr. Camperdown added, was Thalidomide.
    Despite Thalidomide's proven safety record, trials of the drug on humans
    were required in the United States before its sale would be approved by the
    Food and Drug Administration. "In the circumstances, with all that
    first-rate foreign data," Camperdown grumbled, "it's a silly, bureaucratic
    requirement, but we have to live with it."
    A discussion followed about where and how the U.S. trials of Thalidomide
    would be carried out. The director of research, Dr.
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Lord, favored recruitment of fifty or so physicians in private practice
    who would g1ve the drug to patients, then report results which
    Felding-Roth would submit to FDA. "There should be a mix of general
    practitioners, internists, psychiatrists, and obstetricians," he declared.
    The vice president of sales demanded, "How long will all that ngmarole
    take?"
    "Probably three months."
    "Could you make it two? We need this product on the market."
    "I think so."
    Someone else, though, expressed concern about the trials being so
    widespread. Wouldn't they be simpler and reporting be faster in a
    concentrated environment such as a hospital?
    After several minutes of discussion Camperdown interjected with a smile,
    "Perhaps our young lady guest has some thoughts on the subject."
    "Yes, I have," Celia said.
    All heads turned toward her.
    She spoke carefully, aware that her presence here was unusual, even
    privileged; therefore it would be foolish to spoil the opportunity by
    seeming too assured or brash.
    "One thing that could be worrisome," Celia said, "is the suggestion that
    obstetricians prescribe this drug. This means pregnant women would be
    taking it, and it's usually advised that pregnancy is not a time for
    experimenting in any way."
    Dr. Lord interrupted testily. "In this case that doesn't apply.
    Thalidomide has been widely used in Europe and elsewhere, and those
    taking it have included pregnant women."
    "Just the same," Sam Hawthorne put in quietly, "Mrs. Jordan has a point."
    Celia continued, "A question which might be asked is this: Who are the
    people who have the most trouble sleeping, and therefore need a sleeping
    pill? Well, based on my experience in detailingvisiting hospitals and
    institutions, as well as doctors-I'd say old people, especially geriatric
    patients."
    She had the group's attention. Several around the table nodded agreement
    at the last remark. Dr. Lord, his face set stiffly, did not.
    "So what I'd recommend," Celia said, "is that our testing of Thalidomide
    be done in one or two old people's homes. If it's of any use, I know of
    two of them--one in Lincoln, Nebraska, the other outside Plainfield in
    this state. Both are well run and efficient, and
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wouid keep good