Thalidomide was the active ingredient in a sedative widely distributed to many mothers in Australia and around the world in the early 1960s. "The thalidomide tragedy is a dark chapter in the history of our nation and the world," Albanese said in a statement. An Australian woman, who was born without arms and legs after her mother took Thalidomide, in 2012 won a multi-million dollar settlement from Diageo Plc, the local distributor. In 2010, Diageo agreed to make an A$50 million ($32 million) payment to 45 victims in Australia and New Zealand. There are 146 Thalidomide survivors registered with the government, though the exact number of affected is unknown.

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Persons: Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Thalidomide, " Albanese, Gruenenthal, Albanese, Renju Jose, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Australia’s, U.S, White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, British, Diageo Plc, Diageo, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Australia, U.S, United States, Australian, New, Sydney