Parents Sue Acne Drug Company In Son's Suicide; Son Stepped In Front Of Train

KNBC-TV/DT Los Angeles ^ | 10.9.03

[mhking]

LOS ANGELES -- The parents of a teenage California boy who threw himself in front of a train are suing the makers of an acne drug they blame for his suicide.

Barry and Laurie Wertheimer sued drug giant Hoffmann-La Roche in Santa Clara County Superior Court this week over their prescription drug, Accutane.

The Wertheimers are charging the company with negligence, fraud and deceit, and medical negligence, among other things.

The New Jersey-based drug company argues that Accutane has been safely prescribed to 13 million patients worldwide during the two decades it's been available.

Steven Wertheimer stepped in front of a speeding Amtrak train on the morning of Oct. 7, 2002.

Authorities said young Werthheimer was last prescribed a two-week supply of the drug five months before his suicide.

And the Federal Drug Administration said that between 1982 and 2000, 147 people taking Accutane either committed suicide or tried to -- a much lower rate than for all U.S. citizens ages 15 to 24.

[mhking]

Just damn.

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[OXENinFLA]

Was this the same drug the kid, that flew his plane into a building, here in FL was taking?

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[Hodar]

Authorities said young Werthheimer was last prescribed a two-week supply of the drug five months before his suicide.

Why not sue Gerber Pickles? I'm pretty sure he ate some relish, or a pickle on his hamburger more recently than 5 months before attempting suicide.

I would like to see this company counter-sue the parents; as this looks pretty darn frivilous.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Dear Barry and Laurie,

You sucked as parents. Get over it.

If it's a prescription drug, why not go after the doctor?

[Fraulein]

147 people taking Accutane either committed suicide or tried to -- a much lower rate than for all U.S. citizens ages 15 to 24.

I would imagine that more teenagers with crappy parents actually commit suicide...

[Princeliberty]

The real one to condemn is the lawyer for
filing an apparently garbage lawsuit.

[Tree of Liberty]

It was a rhetorical question, I know, but drug co.'s have deeper pockets.

[vollmond]

Anyone else think of this first?

Parents Sue Acme Drug Company In Son's Suicide; Son Stepped In Front Of Train

Phoenix -- The parents of a teenage Arizona coyote who threw himself in front of a train are suing the makers of the Acme drug they blame for his suicide.

[smith288]

Dr probably told them to read the literature that says it can cause suicidal tendencies.

Throw the case out of court.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Shame to lose a Super Genius that way.

[Elkhound4]

Accutane has helped my family in a great way when no other treatment would work.

To me the risk of creating depression in my child (which I think was very low - if it existed at all) was well worth the reward.

It would be a tragedy if this drug were to be taken away from those that need it.

[Pest]

I took Accutane for awhile in High School. It's a very powerful drug. I had to discontinue because my muscles kept cramping up during exercise.

[The Dude Abides]

I took Accutane when I was a kid. It was a harsh drug (pretty much shuts off your oil glands for a week or two), but very effective. I never felt depressed.
Suicide is a terrible, unforgiveable sin committed by those who need God the most. I can't imagine what happens in the mind of a person, especially a young person, contemplating the taking of their own life.

[smith288]

Suicide is a terrible, unforgiveable sin committed by those who need God the most. I can't imagine what happens in the mind of a person, especially a young person, contemplating the taking of their own life.

When pronouncing your life for Christ, God forgives past, present and future sins. Suicide is a terrible sin that effects hundreds of people and not just yourself, but forgivable by God.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Thats great that you were close enough in your relationship to your daughter to notice the change in her. I guess my inital comment on here was too harsh. But it really aggravates me when people don't take any responsibility for their actions (or lack of actions) and look for someone or something to blame. You took responsibility and action for the welfare of your daughter, and possibly spared her life. In some cases, accidents are not the cause of negligence, but IMO suicide is not an accident (although I think depression or whatever ones calls it can be "genetic" or passed down within a family, and can lead to suicide)

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Man, read this! (opens in adobe acrobat)

[Sally II]

Was this the same drug the kid, that flew his plane into a building, here in FL was taking?

I think you might be right. In any case, this whole acutane=suicide connection is a little weird. I heard of some parents that went around making it their mission to educate people about acutane after their kid committed suicide. Teenagers are typically moody. And I imagine a kid with a lot of acne might be especially sensitive. It could just be coincidence that acutane is targetted toward a very emotionally sensitive group of people. By the way, it could have been the rock music. Maybe acutane doesn't mix well with Eminem.