As a result of its ongoing use, Thalidomide babies continue to be born each year, especially in Brazil. Leprosy is most common in poor and remote areas, where the use of medication is harder to control. According to a recent study about 100 Thalidomide babies were born in Brazil between 2005 and 2010 alone. During that period about 5.8 million Thalidomide pills were distributed across the country.

Thalidomide has made huge comebacks in many other countries as well. In 1998 the FDA approved the sale of the drug in the US, also for the treatment of leprosy. Celgene, a US pharmaceutical company from New Jersey, was granted the exclusive marketing for their Thalidomide product “Thalomid”.

Celgene was only GRANTED permission to MAKE the drug if they implemented the strictest conditions. Conditions for Thalidomide patients include regular pregnancy tests for women of childbearing age, the requirement to use at least two forms of birth control if engaging in sexual activity (men have to wear condoms), and a video presentation featuring a Thalidomide survivor.