Frances Oldham Kelsey was a Canadian pharmacologist and physician who played a significant role in preventing the approval of thalidomide in the United States. She was born on July 24, 1914, and passed away on August 7, 2015, at the age of 101. During her lifetime, she was known for her dedication to drug safety and her commitment to protecting public health. Here are some of Frances Oldham Kelsey's most memorable quotes:
"I was just doing my job"
Frances Oldham Kelsey is often quoted as saying, "I was just doing my job." This statement reflects her commitment to her work, and her belief that she was simply doing what was right. Kelsey's work on thalidomide was a turning point in the history of drug regulation, and her dedication to her job helped to protect countless lives.
"We must do our utmost to safeguard the health of the American people"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that the health and safety of the American people should always come first. In a speech given to the National Press Club in 1962, she stated, "We must do our utmost to safeguard the health of the American people. We must continue to insist that the drugs that are marketed in this country are safe and effective."
"I think it's important that we don't forget the lessons of the past"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that we should learn from the mistakes of the past. In an interview with the New York Times in 2010, she said, "I think it's important that we don't forget the lessons of the past. We need to be vigilant and make sure that drugs are safe before they are approved for use."
"It's important to be skeptical"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to be skeptical when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2001, she said, "You need to be skeptical about everything that's presented to you. You need to ask questions and make sure that you have all the information before you make a decision."
"I don't think I was ever afraid"
Frances Oldham Kelsey was known for her courage and her refusal to back down in the face of pressure. In an interview with the Washington Post in 2010, she said, "I don't think I was ever afraid. I just did what I thought was right."
"It's important to be independent"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to be independent when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2001, she said, "You need to be independent and make your own decisions. You can't just rely on what other people are telling you."
"People have to have faith in the regulatory process"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that people needed to have faith in the regulatory process. In an interview with the New York Times in 2010, she said, "People have to have faith in the regulatory process. They need to know that the drugs that are being marketed are safe and effective."
"I think it's important to stand up for what you believe in"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to stand up for what you believe in. In an interview with the Washington Post in 2010, she said, "I think it's important to stand up for what you believe in. You have to be willing to take a stand, even if it's not a popular one."
"I was just doing my job, and I'm glad I did it"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that she was simply doing her job, and that she was glad she did it. In an interview with the New York Times in 2010, she said, "I was just doing my job, and I'm glad I did it. I feel like I made a difference."
"The safety of the public should always come first"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that the safety of the public should always come first. In an interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2001, she said, "The safety of the public should always be the first priority. We need to make sure that the drugs that are being marketed are safe and effective."
"You can't be too careful when evaluating new drugs"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to be cautious when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Washington Post in 2010, she said, "You can't be too careful when evaluating new drugs. You need to make sure that they are safe and effective before they are approved for use."
"I think it's important to always ask questions"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to always ask questions. In an interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2001, she said, "You need to ask questions and make sure that you have all the information before you make a decision. You can't just rely on what other people are telling you."
"I think it's important to be thorough when evaluating new drugs"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to be thorough when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Washington Post in 2010, she said, "You need to be thorough when evaluating new drugs. You need to make sure that you have all the information before you make a decision."
"I think it's important to always look out for the public's best interests"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to always look out for the public's best interests. In an interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2001, she said, "You need to always look out for the public's best interests. You need to make sure that the drugs that are being marketed are safe and effective."
"I think it's important to be vigilant"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to be vigilant when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Washington Post in 2010, she said, "You need to be vigilant when evaluating new drugs. You need to make sure that they are safe and effective before they are approved for use."
"I think it's important to be objective when evaluating new drugs"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to be objective when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2001, she said, "You need to be objective when evaluating new drugs. You can't let your personal biases influence your decision-making."
"I think it's important to always put the public's health first"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to always put the public's health first. In an interview with the Washington Post in 2010, she said, "You need to always put the public's health first. You need to make sure that the drugs that are being marketed are safe and effective."
"I think it's important to always ask for more information"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to always ask for more information. In an interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2001, she said, "You need to always ask for more information. You can never have too much information when evaluating new drugs."
"I think it's important to be cautious"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to be cautious when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Washington Post in 2010, she said, "You need to be cautious when evaluating new drugs. You need to make sure that they are safe and effective before they are approved for use."
"I think it's important to be patient"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to be patient when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2001, she said, "You need to be patient when evaluating new drugs. You can't rush the process, and you need to make sure that you have all the information before you make a decision."
"I think it's important to always be thorough"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to always be thorough when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Washington Post in 2010, she said, "You need to always be thorough when evaluating new drugs. You need to make sure that you have all the information before you make a decision."
"I think it's important to always keep an open mind"
Frances Oldham Kelsey believed that it was important to always keep an open mind when evaluating new drugs. In an interview with the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2001, she said, "You need to always keep an open mind when evaluating new drugs. You can't let your personal biases influence your decision-making