Frances Oldham Kelsey, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Frances Oldham Kelsey

Canadian-American pharmacologist who refused to authorize thalidomide for market in the U.S.

Date of Birth: 24-Jul-1914

Place of Birth: Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Date of Death: 07-Aug-2015

Profession: physician, university teacher, pharmacologist

Nationality: Canada, United States

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Frances Kathleen Oldham Kelsey, CM (July 24, 1914 – August 7, 2015) was a Canadian-American pharmacologist and physician.
As a reviewer for the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), she refused to authorize thalidomide for market because she had concerns about the drug's safety.
Her concerns proved to be justified when it was shown that thalidomide caused serious birth defects.
Kelsey's career intersected with the passage of laws strengthening FDA oversight of pharmaceuticals.
Kelsey was the second woman to be awarded the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service by President John F.
Kennedy.