The High Court has cleared the way for a man to bring an action for damages on grounds of a claim that his son's suicide was a side effect of an acne drug.
Liam Grant (58), Wainsfort Manor Drive, Terenure, Dublin, suing on his own behalf and on behalf of other family members, has brought his action against Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd, a number of other Roche companies, the Irish Medicines Board and a consultant dermatologist who prescribed the drug Roaccutane to his son.
The defendants deny the claims. It is alleged by Mr Grant that the suicide of his son — also named Liam — on June 15th, 1997 was linked to the negligence of the Roche organisation in the manufacture of a drug sold here under the name Roaccutane and its failure to give proper advice and warnings in respect of its use.
It is claimed a side effect of the drug is depression and that Liam Grant Junior became depressed and suicidal as a result of taking the drug and ultimately took his own life.
The Roche defendents deny liability.