ROACCUTANE LINKED TO SUICIDE

Andre Rebello, Coroner for Liverpool has rebuked Roche Pharmaceuticals for not turning up to the inquest into the suicide of David Roberts. David Roberts was 20 and had been taking Roaccutane for 3 months when he was found hanged from a tree near his home in Liverpool.

The Coroners’ Court heard evidence as to how Roaccutane has been implicated in 720 reports of psychiatric problems including more than 100 suicides and suicide attempts.

Comment

Roaccutane is a last resort drug for severe acne. It should only be prescribed by Dermatologists and to adults who have no history of or signs of depression or any other psychiatric illness. If the drug is not given in accordance with those guidelines then there is a strong presumption the patient has received substandard treatment.

If this results in suicide or in severe psychiatric illness then this is an avoidable tragedy and patients in such circumstances may need to investigate the standard of treatment they have received.

21 SEPTEMBER 2005

MARK SLATER, ASSOCIATE
CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE DEPARTMENT
0161 837 6827
mark.slater@lindermyers.co.uk