It is estimated that over two million people have used Accutane for combating acne. Accutane has a number of side effects including sleep problems, crying spells, aggression or agitation as well as behavioral changes. However the Atlantic City case concentrated on inflammatory bowel disease as an adverse effect.

The plaintiff, Andrew McCarrell, was awarded $119,000 in past medical expenses. The jury also chose to award the 36-year-old plaintiff $2.5 million in compensatory damages so he could cover future medical costs.

McCarrell took Accutane from June to October 1995. Immediately thereafter he began experiencing pain in the knees as well as had complaints of chapped lips. He was also diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disorder following bouts of severe abdominal pain.

Switzerland-based Roche Group, which is the parent company of Hoffmann-La Roche, issued a statement saying it would launch an appeal. The company maintained that Accutane's label was adequate and that it had been in place for over 20 years, adding that some 13 million people had used Accutane since its introduction in 1982.

Roche also argued that the cause f inflammatory bowel disease is not clear and linking it to Accutane is not feasible. However the jury did not believe this and hence decided McCarrell deserved damages.

There are almost 400 Accutane cases against Roche and experts feel the company will have to deal in an effective manner in the present case if it has to avoid being hit with further adverse verdicts.

Comments (1)

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
BBCode:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.4