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  Acne drug 'should be banned'
Updated 17 May 2002, 11.27

There are calls for an acne drug to be banned after 15 teenagers who were using it committed suicide.

Campaigners want the drug, called Roaccutane, to be banned because they say it causes severe depression.

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Families of those teenagers, and others who have noticed side effects, want the makers of the drug to withdraw it from the UK until further tests have been done.

Makers say Roaccutane isn't to blame

But the makers don't think it is to blame for the depression, and say it is completely safe.


Experts are aware that teenagers with acne are more likely to suffer from depression.

In the US, where the drug is also available, doctors have to warn patients about the side effects of the drug before they can give it to them.

A book is also given out which looks at ways of identifying and dealing with depression.

In the UK similar warnings aren't given out, which is something the campaigners want changed.

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