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Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Thalidomide received federal approval Thursday for treatment of bone-marrow cancer, marking the further rehabilitation of a drug originally banned more than 40 years ago after it caused thousands of birth defects.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, agency spokeswoman Laura Alvey said.
Multiple myeloma refers to cancers that affect cells in the bone marrow that are key to fighting infection....

The original article can found in the Media Doctor archives.

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This story contains an inaccurate description of Thalidomide's side effects and harms when prescribed for this indication, particularly regarding the potential of thromboembolic events. Among other important information, the author of this story forgot to mention the nature of the studies that gave thalidomide its approval (non-controlled studies) for this indication

Actually the press release is much more informative than the story. The story appears to be a simple rewrite of the press release, although it does not use direct quotes. There seems to be no evidence that other sources of information have been used.

Thalidomide has been in use at the BC Cancer Agency since 1991 for the treatment of multiple myeloma refractory to standard treatments i.e. melphalan, prednisone, pamidronate, dexamethasone, and more recently bortezomib. Drowsiness, constipation, and peripheral nerve damage (sometimes permanent) are the most common side effects. Birth defects, while serious, are not generally an issue as multiple myeloma is not by and large a disease of reproductive-age women

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