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Written Question
Roaccutane: Side Effects
Thursday 3rd March 2022

Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that medical professionals inform patients of the possible side effects of Roaccutane.

Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Roaccutane is a brand name for the medicine isotretinoin which is authorised for the treatment of severe forms of acne. National data on the total number of patients who have experienced side effects after using isotretinoin is not available. The Yellow Card scheme operated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) collects information on suspected side effects in the United Kingdom. Since 2014, between 87 and 135 reports of side effects suspected to be associated with the use of isotretinoin have been received each year.

It is estimated that approximately 35,000 individuals receive isotretinoin each year in the UK. Estimates of the exact number of people treated with isotretinoin is not available as the dose is individualised based on the patient’s weight and their response to the medicine.

The product information for all medicines, including isotretinoin, contains advice about possible side effects and how to report them. Healthcare professionals receive the MHRA’s Drug Safety Update which includes information about possible side effects and any action which needs to be taken. Since 2014, the Drug Safety Update has included a number of articles on isotretinoin, including reminders on important risks and precautions.

The terms of the ongoing review of the risk of psychiatric and sexual side effects for isotretinoin include consideration of whether regulatory action is needed to ensure awareness of the risks associated with this medicine.


Written Question
Roaccutane: Side Effects
Thursday 3rd March 2022

Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of cases that have been recorded where patients have complained of side effects from the use of Roaccutane in each year since 2014.

Answered by Edward Argar - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Roaccutane is a brand name for the medicine isotretinoin which is authorised for the treatment of severe forms of acne. National data on the total number of patients who have experienced side effects after using isotretinoin is not available. The Yellow Card scheme operated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) collects information on suspected side effects in the United Kingdom. Since 2014, between 87 and 135 reports of side effects suspected to be associated with the use of isotretinoin have been received each year.

It is estimated that approximately 35,000 individuals receive isotretinoin each year in the UK. Estimates of the exact number of people treated with isotretinoin is not available as the dose is individualised based on the patient’s weight and their response to the medicine.

The product information for all medicines, including isotretinoin, contains advice about possible side effects and how to report them. Healthcare professionals receive the MHRA’s Drug Safety Update which includes information about possible side effects and any action which needs to be taken. Since 2014, the Drug Safety Update has included a number of articles on isotretinoin, including reminders on important risks and precautions.

The terms of the ongoing review of the risk of psychiatric and sexual side effects for isotretinoin include consideration of whether regulatory action is needed to ensure awareness of the risks associated with this medicine.


Westminster Hall
Skin Conditions and Mental Health - Tue 25 Jan 2022
Department of Health and Social Care

Mentions:
1: Rachael Maskell (LAB - York Central) want to raise the case of one of my constituents who experienced topical steroid withdrawal and the side - Speech Link


Westminster Hall
Cumberlege Report - Thu 03 Feb 2022
Department of Health and Social Care

Mentions:
1: Julian Lewis (CON - New Forest East) This is what she has to say about the effects of these unnecessary procedures:“Mesh has restricted my - Speech Link
2: Mike Penning (CON - Hemel Hempstead) the industry, the pharmas, know that they have to cover themselves because they might be sued.The side-effects - Speech Link
3: Allan Dorans (SNP - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) Members have spoken eloquently this afternoon on the devastating effects of vaginal mesh implants and - Speech Link


Deposited Papers
Department of Health and Social Care

Jul. 28 2021

Source Page: I. Government response to the report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review. Incl. annex. 99p. II.Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety (IMMDS) Review. Independent report of the Patient Reference Group [established by Traverse], February – June 2021 [The Patient Reference Group (PRG) was established by Traverse]. 97p.
Document: independent_report_of_the_patient_reference_group_response_IMMDS.pdf (PDF)

Found: Reflecting on how information moves much quicker following Covid - 19 and reported side effects, some


Departmental Publication (Statistics)
Department of Health and Social Care

Jul. 21 2021

Source Page: The Independent Report of the Patient Reference Group: response to the IMMDS Review report
Document: The Independent Report of the Patient Reference Group: response to the IMMDS Review report (PDF)

Found: Reflecting on how information moves much quicker following Covid - 19 and reported side effects, some


Arms Length Body Publication (Guidance)
NHS England

Jan. 15 2021

Source Page: NHS Discharge Medicines Service – Essential Service: Toolkit for pharmacy staff in community, primary and secondary care
Document: NHS Discharge Medicines Service – Essential Service: Toolkit for pharmacy staff in community, primary and secondary care (PDF)

Found: A consultation with Mrs Singh found she was happy with the change and there were no side effects or


Non-Departmental Publication (News and Communications)
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Aug. 26 2020

Source Page: Isotretinoin (Roaccutane▼): reminder of important risks and precautions
Document: Roaccutane (PDF)

Found: Possible side effects 5. How to store Roaccutane 6.


Commons Chamber
Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review - Thu 09 Jul 2020
Department of Health and Social Care

Mentions:
1: Nadine Dorries (CON - Mid Bedfordshire) organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, which have been linked to crippling, life-changing side-effects.Baroness - Speech Link
2: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (LAB - Slough) Although those campaigning for the truth about the side effects of Primodos, sodium valproate and pelvic - Speech Link
3: Caroline Nokes (CON - Romsey and Southampton North) She spoke of the pregnancy prevention programme, but there are drugs out there, such as Roaccutane, for - Speech Link
4: Nadine Dorries (CON - Mid Bedfordshire) Friend has spoken about Roaccutane several times in the House. - Speech Link


Deposited Papers

Jul. 08 2020

Source Page: First do no harm: the report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, chaired by Baroness Cumberlege. Incl. appendices. 269p.
Document: First_Do_No_Harm_Report.pdf (PDF)

Found: effects.