Thalidomide. A dramatic in consequence event caused by thalidomide in pregnant women illustrated potential pitfalls in use of racemic drugs. We can find statement in many research papers on chiral drugs that the tragedy of thalidomide could have been avoided with the production of suitable pure enantiomers. However, this approach would not have helped in the tragedy. Nevertheless, the misfortune had a great influence on development of pure enantiomeric drugs. The present state of knowledge on thalidomide pharmacology