The Elixir Sulfanilamide disaster in 1937 resulted in the deaths of over 100 people in the United States after consuming a toxic preparation. This tragedy exposed severe weaknesses in drug safety regulations and prompted public outcry for stricter oversight. In response, the U.S. government enacted the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938, which established more rigorous standards for drug approval and safety.

The Elixir Sulfanilamide disaster in 1937 exposed significant failures in drug safety, reinforcing anxieties about modern chemistry and corporate negligence. This tragedy inspired literary works that critiqued industrial practices and highlighted the vulnerability of families caught in the crossfire of corporate greed.