What a difference 61 years makes. In November 1962, thalidomide was withdrawn from use in Australia but only now has there been an official apology for the appalling harm inflicted by the sedative and morning sickness drug on its users – pregnant women and their foetuses. Last week, the Prime Minister delivered a formal apology in Parliament to those killed or permanently disabled by a poorly-tested drug that could result in congenital malformations (most publicly visible in its victims as a shortening of the arms or legs), miscarriages, sight or hearing loss, facial paralysis, damage to organs, and death.