Short answers, pulled from the story.
Chlordiazepoxide was discovered in April 1957 by Earl Reeder, a colleague of chemist Leo Sternbach. Reeder found the compound on a shelf after Sternbach had abandoned the project in 1955. The drug was subsequently marketed as Librium in 1960.
Benzodiazepines function by binding to a specific site on the GABAA receptor to increase the frequency of chloride ion channel openings. This action hyperpolarizes neurons and slows down communication between brain cells. The chemical structure combines a benzene ring and a diazepine ring to fit precisely into the receptor binding site.
Diazepam, known globally as Valium, became the most prescribed medication in the world by 1977. This status followed the introduction of chlordiazepoxide in 1960 and the launch of diazepam in 1963. The drugs largely replaced older sedatives like barbiturates by the 1970s.
Long-term use can lead to physical dependence within three weeks and a withdrawal syndrome including rebound anxiety, insomnia, and tremors. Chronic use is associated with an increased risk of dementia and falls in the elderly. Combining these drugs with alcohol or opioids significantly increases the potential for fatal toxicity.
The largest class-action lawsuit in the United Kingdom involved 14,000 patients and 1,800 law firms. Patients alleged that manufacturers knowingly withheld information about dependence potential, leading to widespread harm. The case cost £30 million and never reached a verdict due to withdrawn legal aid.