Accutane Yanked For Good, Says Roche
A controversial era in acne treatment is over: Roche says it is taking extensively-used severe acne treatment Accutane off the market after almost three decades.
The company -- in its own statement, according to Bloomberg -- makes it sound like they're yanking it because its generic competitors are making it a financial loser, and though its market share is now below five percent, Roche has also had to shell out over $33 million in damages to former Accutane patients who have complained of inflammatory bowel disease from taking the drug.
Meanwhile, generic competitors like Sotret will stay on the market, and dermatologist Neil S. Goldberg, M.D., of Bronxville, NY, tells Global Medical News isotretinoin is still "a miracle drug" for acne.
Have you used Accutane? And will you continue now that its manufacturer is pulling it off the market? And will doctors continue to prescribe isotretinoin despite its many side effects?
More on RealSelf
- RealSelf users say Accutane has helped them more than 75% of the time.
- Have I become dependent on Accutane? Our doctors weigh in.
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unregistered guest
3 Jul 2009
accutane is off the market becs roche is facing huge liability from lawsuits. yeah, the generics are undermining roche profits, but the legal bills are why its unprofitable.