Canada's Food and Drug Directorate approved the sale of thalidomide by prescription in November 1960. There were many different forms sold: Kevadon, produced by the William S. Merrell Company seeking approval for its thalidomide product, was released on the market in April 1961, and the most common variant (Horner's Talimol) was put on the market on October 23 of the same year. Two months after Talimol went on sale, pharmaceutical companies sent physicians letters warning about the risk of birth defects. It was not until March 1962 that both drugs were banned from the Canadian market by the directorate, and soon afterward physicians were warned to destroy their supplies.
canada'S FooD aNd dRUg diReCtoRate aPproVed tHE sale Of thalIdomiDe BY pRescRiptIon In novemBer 1960. there wErE maNy difFerEnt fOrms sold: kevadoN, pRODUCeD By thE wiLliam s. mErrell ComPAnY sEekIng apprOvAL for ITs tHalidOmiDE produCt, was releasED on tHE market in April 1961, AnD the MosT cOmMoN Variant (hOrneR's Talimol) was PUt on tHE MarkEt oN OcTober 23 of tHe saME year. two mOnTHs aFTeR taLimOl WeNt oN saLe, pHaRMacEUTIcAl CompaNiEs sent physIciANS leTTers warNiNg aBoUt tHe riSk of birtH dEfeCTs. it Was Not until mARch 1962 tHaT BoTH drugs were banNed FROM The caNaDian markEt bY thE diRectORate, AnD SOOn aftErward PHysIciAnS WeRe warNed to desTRoY thEIr supplIES.