Accutane
Accutane, the brand name for the chemical drug isotretinoin, is a prescription drug used to treat serious forms of acne. The drug was approved by the FDA in 1982 and is manufactured by Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. (La Roche).
Since the Accutane patent expired in February 2002, several generic brands of isotretinoin have been manufactured, which the FDA has subsequently approved. Other isotretinoin products include, but are not limited to: Amnesteem, Sotret, and Claravis.
Unlike other pharmaceutical drugs involved in mass tort litigation, i.e., Vioxx, Baycol, Rezulin and Propulsid, Accutane continues to be available on the U.S. market. It has, nonetheless, been scrutinized for its propensity to cause birth defects when used by pregnant women, its alleged connection with depression and suicidal behavior, and recently has faced litigation for its connection to inflammatory bowel disease.
One widely publicized case involving Accutane's alleged link with suicidal behavior is Bishop, et. al. v. Hoffman-La Roche Inc., et. al.. Family members allege Accutane caused fifteen-year-old Charles Bishop to fly a Cessna plane into a Florida office building.[FN6] The $70 million wrongful death and negligence suit alleges La Roche is responsible for the child's death because the drug's severe psychiatric side-effects were known by the company but were minimized by the manufacturer.
In response to the mounting allegations that Accutane has caused suicidal behavior and/or depression, the FDA issued an alert in May 2005. The alert stated that the FDA is continuing to monitor suicide reports and that "[a]ll patients treated with isotretinoin should be observed closely for symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts, such as sad mood, irritability, anger, loss of pleasure or interest in social or sports activities, sleeping too much or too little, changes in weight or appetite, school or work performance going down, or trouble concentrating."
In May 2007, the first Accutane case was tried to verdict, and a New Jersey jury awarded $2.6 million to the plaintiff.The judge, however, did rule in favor of Hoffman-La Roche in that punitive damages were "not available" in the case. In June 2007, approximately 400 Accutane cases are pending with an estimated 200 to 300 still to be filed.
If you or someone you know has been injured while taking Accutane call our office today. Our experienced team of attorneys will properly evaluate your case. 619.615.0767
Since the Accutane patent expired in February 2002, several generic brands of isotretinoin have been manufactured, which the FDA has subsequently approved. Other isotretinoin products include, but are not limited to: Amnesteem, Sotret, and Claravis.
Unlike other pharmaceutical drugs involved in mass tort litigation, i.e., Vioxx, Baycol, Rezulin and Propulsid, Accutane continues to be available on the U.S. market. It has, nonetheless, been scrutinized for its propensity to cause birth defects when used by pregnant women, its alleged connection with depression and suicidal behavior, and recently has faced litigation for its connection to inflammatory bowel disease.
One widely publicized case involving Accutane's alleged link with suicidal behavior is Bishop, et. al. v. Hoffman-La Roche Inc., et. al.. Family members allege Accutane caused fifteen-year-old Charles Bishop to fly a Cessna plane into a Florida office building.[FN6] The $70 million wrongful death and negligence suit alleges La Roche is responsible for the child's death because the drug's severe psychiatric side-effects were known by the company but were minimized by the manufacturer.
In response to the mounting allegations that Accutane has caused suicidal behavior and/or depression, the FDA issued an alert in May 2005. The alert stated that the FDA is continuing to monitor suicide reports and that "[a]ll patients treated with isotretinoin should be observed closely for symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts, such as sad mood, irritability, anger, loss of pleasure or interest in social or sports activities, sleeping too much or too little, changes in weight or appetite, school or work performance going down, or trouble concentrating."
In May 2007, the first Accutane case was tried to verdict, and a New Jersey jury awarded $2.6 million to the plaintiff.The judge, however, did rule in favor of Hoffman-La Roche in that punitive damages were "not available" in the case. In June 2007, approximately 400 Accutane cases are pending with an estimated 200 to 300 still to be filed.
If you or someone you know has been injured while taking Accutane call our office today. Our experienced team of attorneys will properly evaluate your case. 619.615.0767