Is it true: Thalidomide Cover-Up?

Yes — this is confirmed.

Thalidomide was marketed from 1957 (Germany) as a sedative and later as an anti-emetic for morning sickness. Birth defects (phocomelia — limb malformations) appeared from 1958 onward. Withdrawal occurred in late 1961 in Germany and UK after Dr. William McBride (Australia) and Dr. Widukind Lenz (Germany) independently identified the cause. US FDA reviewer Frances Oldham Kelsey refused approval despite pressure, preventing widespread US exposure. Internal Grünenthal documents released via subsequent litigation show management was aware of nervous-system side effects before birth defects emerged, and minimized adverse reports. The 1968 UK Distillers settlement paid £20M; the German Contergan settlement ongoing. Direct cause of the 1962 Kefauver-Harris Amendments strengthening FDA drug safety requirements globally.