Roche denies its acne treatment led to suicide of 21 year old

Last month, Luke Reeves took his own life at the age of just 21. Prior to his death, he had been using Roche’s acne treatment Roaccutane (isotretinoin), a drug with known risks of mood instability and depression. Luke’s parents Robert and Becky asserted that use of the treatment changed their son’s character, causing him to become irrational, obsessive, compulsive and lethargic.

The pair joined a number of others with similar concerns, leading the MHRA to launch an investigation into the drug. In answer to these allegations, Roche has now responded, denying any links between its treatment and increased risk of suicide.

"We are deeply saddened to hear about Luke and offer our sympathies to his family during what must be an incredibly difficult time," commented Dr Rav Seeruthun, Medical Director at Roche, in a statement. "We recognise severe acne can lead to changes in mood, self-esteem and in some sufferers lead to depression. This is why the information provided with isotretinoin carries a warning some patients may experience mood changes, including an increase in depression. And whilst authors recognised several limitations in their research, a retrospective study published in the BMJ in 2010 didn’t establish a link between isotretinoin and an observed increased risk of suicide. Additionally, the MHRA concluded in 2014, that whilst a causal link cannot be ruled out, it was not possible to identify a clear increase in risk of psychiatric disorders in people who take isotretinoin compared to those who do not."

Despite denying supposed links to suicide, the statement continued to outline the risks of the medication and the usage warnings as a disclaimer: "The patient information leaflet, which is inside every pack of isotretinoin tablets, also tells patients that – before they start taking the medicine – they must tell their doctor if they are depressed, or if they have felt this way in the past. If anyone believes they have suffered a side-effect to any Roche medicine they should report it to us directly or to the MHRA via its yellow card.

"Particular care needs to be taken in patients with a history of depression and all patients should be monitored for signs of depression and referred for appropriate treatment if necessary. However, discontinuation of isotretinoin may be insufficient to alleviate symptoms and therefore further psychiatric or psychological evaluation may be necessary. Isotretinoin is a prescription-only medicine and therefore can only be safely used under the care and supervision of suitably qualified healthcare professionals."

Luke originally used Roaccutane for four months at the age of 16 to treat acne, and attempted to take his own life twice in the year leading up to his death.