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By Gill Gifford and Los Angeles Times
While Americans have witnessed the sudden disappearance of blockbuster acne drug Accutane - the drug marketed locally as Roaccutane - South Africans have no reason to worry.
According to reports drug manufacturers Roche pulled it amid early signs the drug might be linked to inflammatory bowel disease - although the company claims it was discontinued because competition from generic brands meant it was no longer commercially viable.
A new study has since quantified the risks, finding that users of the medication have almost twice the odds of developing a serious bowel disorder as non-users.
'People don't die of acne' While the generic versions are still available in the US, there is a chance this could lead to the withdrawal of the medication considered the treatment of last resort for acne so damaging it can lead to pitting of the face and a lifetime of anguish.
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In a statement issued in the US, Roche said its decision to withdraw Accutane reflected market pressures and the cost of lawsuits, not safety concerns. Plaintiffs have won an estimated $33-million (about R244m) in judgements against Roche for bowel disorders, according to an industry publication, Dermatology Times.
In its tumultuous 25-year history, the drug (also known known as isotretinoin) has been found to cause serious birth defects and possibly to increase the risk of depression and suicidal behaviour.
Yet Roaccutane was still available on the South African market, and in a number of other countries such as Switzerland, Roche said yesterday.
According to Roche, Roaccutane is a prescription-only product that cannot be bought over the counter and is available only to patients taking it under the supervision of their doctors.
But the fact that it is still on the market puzzles some former users and consumer advocates - and reflects the profound lengths to which doctors, pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies and patients have gone to ensure its survival.
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