Frances Oldham Kelsey: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Kelsey_01.jpg|thumb|Frances Kathleen Oldham Kelsey receiving the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service from President [[John F. Kennedy]], in 1962]] |
[[Image:Kelsey_01.jpg|thumb|Frances Kathleen Oldham Kelsey receiving the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service from President [[John F. Kennedy]], in 1962]] |
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'''Frances |
'''Frances Oldham Kelsey''' ([[24 June]] [[1914]]-) is a [[naturalized]] [[USA|American]] [[pharmacologist]] most famous as a reviewer for the US [[Food and Drug Administration]] who refused to authorize [[thalidomide]] for market when she had serious concerns about the drug's safety. |
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==Birth== |
==Birth and education== |
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She was born as '''Frances Kathleen Oldham''' in Cobble Hill on [[Vancouver Island]], [[British Columbia]], she received a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from [[McGill University]] in [[1935]] and received a Ph.D. in pharmacology at the [[University of Chicago]]. |
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==Marriage== |
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She then joined the faculty and married faculty member: Dr. Fremont Ellis Kelsey. In 1950, she received an M.D., then worked as an editorial associate for the [[American Medical Association]] Journal for two years. She moved with her husband and two daughters to [[Vermillion, South Dakota]]. Between 1954 and 1957 she taught pharmacology at the [[University of South Dakota]]. In [[Washington, DC]] she was hired by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] to evaluate new drug applications of pharmaceuticals for approval to market them. |
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==Thalidomide== |
==Thalidomide== |
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Revision as of 00:03, 14 November 2005
Frances Oldham Kelsey (24 June 1914-) is a naturalized American pharmacologist most famous as a reviewer for the US Food and Drug Administration who refused to authorize thalidomide for market when she had serious concerns about the drug's safety.
Birth and education
She was born as Frances Kathleen Oldham in Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, she received a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from McGill University in 1935 and received a Ph.D. in pharmacology at the University of Chicago.
Marriage
She then joined the faculty and married faculty member: Dr. Fremont Ellis Kelsey. In 1950, she received an M.D., then worked as an editorial associate for the American Medical Association Journal for two years. She moved with her husband and two daughters to Vermillion, South Dakota. Between 1954 and 1957 she taught pharmacology at the University of South Dakota. In Washington, DC she was hired by the Food and Drug Administration to evaluate new drug applications of pharmaceuticals for approval to market them.
Thalidomide
While working at the FDA, she withheld approval for the drug thalidomide until its safety had been proven. Her stand turned out to be justified when it was discovered that the drug penetrated the placenta and caused serious birth defects in infants. She was hailed as a heroine and was awarded the President’s Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service by President John F. Kennedy for averting the disaster in the US. Future drug testing was reformed to avoid similar problems.
Awards
In 2000 she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Legacy
The Frances Kelsey Secondary School in Mill Bay, British Columbia is named in her honour.
References
- "Frances Kelsey". Canada Heirloom Series. March 13.
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