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| Parents lobby MPs for anti-acne drug Roaccutane ban | Parents lobby MPs for anti-acne drug Roaccutane ban |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Parents whose children committed suicide while taking, or after taking an anti-acne medication have been lobbying MPs about the drug. | Parents whose children committed suicide while taking, or after taking an anti-acne medication have been lobbying MPs about the drug. |
| They believe Roaccutane played a part in their children's deaths and would like to see it banned. | They believe Roaccutane played a part in their children's deaths and would like to see it banned. |
| However manufacturer Roche said "no causal link" had been established between Roaccutane and either depression or suicide. | However manufacturer Roche said "no causal link" had been established between Roaccutane and either depression or suicide. |
| North Devon MP Sir Nick Harvey wants further studies into its side effects. | North Devon MP Sir Nick Harvey wants further studies into its side effects. |
| He has called on the Department of Health to look again at the drug and "evidence" from people who have experienced "psychotic disorders". | He has called on the Department of Health to look again at the drug and "evidence" from people who have experienced "psychotic disorders". |
| A ban, said the Lib Dem MP, could end in court action with the government expected to "demonstrate overwhelming scientific evidence, which I don't believe as yet is available, which is why I am calling as a first step for such scientific research to take place". | A ban, said the Lib Dem MP, could end in court action with the government expected to "demonstrate overwhelming scientific evidence, which I don't believe as yet is available, which is why I am calling as a first step for such scientific research to take place". |
| 'Self-esteem' | 'Self-esteem' |
| One of his constituents, Jonathan Medland from Barnstaple, has been fighting to have Roaccutane banned for 10 years. | One of his constituents, Jonathan Medland from Barnstaple, has been fighting to have Roaccutane banned for 10 years. |
| His son Jon, a 22-year-old medical student at Manchester University, hanged himself weeks after being prescribed the drug to treat spots on his back. | His son Jon, a 22-year-old medical student at Manchester University, hanged himself weeks after being prescribed the drug to treat spots on his back. |
| His inquest did not find Roaccutane responsible, but Mr Medland said it played a part and he is determined to keep fighting. | His inquest did not find Roaccutane responsible, but Mr Medland said it played a part and he is determined to keep fighting. |
| He said his son was an "exuberant" character who had never, to his knowledge, suffered from depression. | He said his son was an "exuberant" character who had never, to his knowledge, suffered from depression. |
| "I'm not going to shut up until the drug is taken off the market - however long it takes," he said. | "I'm not going to shut up until the drug is taken off the market - however long it takes," he said. |
| Roche said 17 million people worldwide had used Roaccutane - a brand name for isotretinoin - and no causal link has been established between the medication and either depression or suicide. | Roche said 17 million people worldwide had used Roaccutane - a brand name for isotretinoin - and no causal link has been established between the medication and either depression or suicide. |
| "Severe acne can cause some sufferers to become depressed and can also affect their mood and self-esteem," a statement said. | "Severe acne can cause some sufferers to become depressed and can also affect their mood and self-esteem," a statement said. |
| "This is why the information provided with Roaccutane carries a warning that some patients may experience mood changes or an increase in depression." | "This is why the information provided with Roaccutane carries a warning that some patients may experience mood changes or an increase in depression." |
| The manufacturer said it should only be prescribed and patients being treated for signs of depression should be monitored. | The manufacturer said it should only be prescribed and patients being treated for signs of depression should be monitored. |
| It added that information inside packs of Roaccutane, advised patients to tell their doctor if they noticed changes in mood or behaviour. | It added that information inside packs of Roaccutane, advised patients to tell their doctor if they noticed changes in mood or behaviour. |
| Last October, 16-year-old Jack Bowlby from Wantage in Oxfordshire, killed himself at Cheltenham College. | Last October, 16-year-old Jack Bowlby from Wantage in Oxfordshire, killed himself at Cheltenham College. |
| His inquest was told he experienced "dark thoughts and violent mood swings" after taking Roaccutane. | His inquest was told he experienced "dark thoughts and violent mood swings" after taking Roaccutane. |
| Dr Graham Mould, a consultant pharmaceutical forensic toxicologist, said there was a "one in 10,000" risk of developing suicidal thoughts while taking the drug. | Dr Graham Mould, a consultant pharmaceutical forensic toxicologist, said there was a "one in 10,000" risk of developing suicidal thoughts while taking the drug. |
| However Gloucester Coroner Tom Osbourne recorded an open verdict, saying there was "insufficient evidence" to prove Roaccutane caused the death. | However Gloucester Coroner Tom Osbourne recorded an open verdict, saying there was "insufficient evidence" to prove Roaccutane caused the death. |
| Jack's parents, Michael and Mandy Bowlby, who were also in Westminster, still believe the drug was a factor. | Jack's parents, Michael and Mandy Bowlby, who were also in Westminster, still believe the drug was a factor. |
| They said they want more scientific research to be carried out - to help warn other families of the risks. | They said they want more scientific research to be carried out - to help warn other families of the risks. |
| The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said "no medicine is without risk and Roaccutane is no exception". | |
| It said in the past 30 years, 43 suicides had been recorded, however these could not definitively be linked to the drug. | It said in the past 30 years, 43 suicides had been recorded, however these could not definitively be linked to the drug. |
| "Since it was licensed in the UK in 1983, the MHRA has kept the safety of Roaccutane under close review," a spokesman said. | |
| "Roaccutane is an effective treatment for the most severe forms of acne which have failed to respond to other treatments. | "Roaccutane is an effective treatment for the most severe forms of acne which have failed to respond to other treatments. |
| "It has important side effects and must be prescribed by, or under supervision of, a consultant dermatologist". | "It has important side effects and must be prescribed by, or under supervision of, a consultant dermatologist". |
| Other parents campaigning against the drug include Melvin and Lorraine Silcock, from Sittingbourne in Kent, whose 26-year-old son James died in December 2012. | Other parents campaigning against the drug include Melvin and Lorraine Silcock, from Sittingbourne in Kent, whose 26-year-old son James died in December 2012. |
| He was prescribed Roaccutane 10 years before his death and although it improved his acne, Mrs Silcock said he "did not feel right" and attributed it to the drug. | He was prescribed Roaccutane 10 years before his death and although it improved his acne, Mrs Silcock said he "did not feel right" and attributed it to the drug. |
| Days after watching a documentary about Jesse Jones, 24, from Dorset, who killed himself after taking Roaccutane, he committed suicide himself. | Days after watching a documentary about Jesse Jones, 24, from Dorset, who killed himself after taking Roaccutane, he committed suicide himself. |
| In a note, he said the drug had brought him hell and left his world in tatters. | In a note, he said the drug had brought him hell and left his world in tatters. |