Teens may lose acne drug
Teenagers and young adults with severe, scarring acne ultimately may lose the most effective treatment for the condition.
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Roche quietly pulled its blockbuster drug Accutane off the market over the summer amid early signs that the drug may be linked to inflammatory bowel disease. And a new study recently quantified those risks, finding that users of the medication have almost twice the odds of developing a serious bowel disorder as nonusers.
For now, generic versions are still available, but the latest troubles could lead to the withdrawal of the controversial medication considered the treatment of last resort for acne so damaging it can lead to pitting of the face.
In a statement, Roche said its decision to withdraw Accutane reflected market pressures and the cost of lawsuits, not safety concerns. Accutane costs about $1,200 a month, and many consumers choose generics, which cost 25 percent to 50 percent less. Meanwhile, plaintiffs have won an estimated $33 million in judgments against Roche for bowel disorders, according to an industry publication, Dermatology Times.
In its tumultuous 25-year history, the drug (also known as isotretinoin), has been found to cause serious birth defects and possibly to increase the risk of depression and suicidal behavior. Women who take it must register with the government, sign a consent form saying they understand the medication’s risks, use two forms of birth control and take monthly pregnancy tests.
The fact that it’s still on the market puzzles some former users and consumer advocates — and reflects the profound lengths to which doctors, companies and patients have gone to ensure its survival.
“It would be a true disaster if this medication would become unavailable,” said Dr. Steven Stone, chairman of an American Academy of Dermatology committee that has reviewed the drug’s safety. “People don’t die of acne, so it’s easy to say, ‘This is a drug that causes inflammatory bowel disease; let’s take if off the market.’ But that ignores the psychological harm of severe acne.”
9/11 memorial breaks ground in Pennsylvania
SHANKSVILLE, Pa. — With the words “Let’s roll” — the command issued by United Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer to lead the passenger revolt against hijackers on 9/11 — U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and 39 victims’ relatives and dignitaries turned shovels of dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for a national memorial. The first phase is expected to be completed by Sept. 11, 2011, the terrorist attacks’ 10th anniversary.
At left: Salazar comforts Sarah Wainio, sister of Flight 93 passenger Honor Elizabeth Wainio, after she and Campbell Peterson, from left, and Peyton Peterson helped the groundbreaking. The boys’ grandparents were passengers Donald and Jean Hoadley Peterson.
NATION
Obama to meet leader of military-ruled Myanmar
President Barack Obama will meet leaders of Southeast Asian nations, including Myanmar, in a high-level affirmation of Washington’s new policy of engaging the military-ruled country despite its dismal human rights record.
The meeting was pushed back one day to Nov. 16 because Obama is attending a memorial service at Fort Hood, Texas, on Tuesday. Obama’s meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations will take place on the sidelines of an annual summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Singapore, U.S. Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs Scot Marciel said Saturday.
The talks are to be the highest-level contact between the two nations in decades.
WORLD
Russia optimistic on arms
MOSCOW — Russia and the United States have a good chance of reaching a new nuclear arms reduction deal before year’s end, but other nuclear powers must join disarmament efforts, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in remarks released Saturday.
“We have every chance to agree on a new treaty, determine new (weapons) levels and control measures and sign a legally binding document in the end of the year,” he said in remarks released by the Kremlin.
He sounded less upbeat about the prospect of the complete abolition of nukes.
Medvedev also told Der Spiegel that Russia could back sanctions against Iran if it fails to take a constructive stance in talks over its nuclear program.
The statement echoed Medvedev’s earlier comments, but his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, has warned that the threat of sanctions could thwart talks. Putin also has said, there is no real difference between him and Medvedev on the subject.
Saudi Arabia attacks Yemeni rebels for 3rd day
SAN’A, Yemen — Saudi warplanes and artillery bombarded a Shiite rebel stronghold in northern Yemen on Saturday for a third straight day, according to the rebel fighters, and Yemen’s president vowed to wipe out the insurrection.
The sporadic five-year conflict between Yemen’s weak central government and rebels in the north of the impoverished country escalated dramatically last week when Saudi military forces began shelling and bombing rebel positions.
The nations are cooperating and sharing intelligence in the fight. Officials in neighboring Saudi Arabia have been increasingly worried that extremism and instability in Yemen could spill over to their country, the world’s largest oil exporter.
Publicly, Saudi officials say their military action has been inside their borders.
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109 arrested in Iran
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian police have detained 109 people for “disturbing public order” during an opposition rally this week, the official IRNA news agency reported Saturday.
Azizollah Rajabzadeh, a security spokesman, said 62 of those detained have been handed over to judicial authorities for trial and the rest have been released after questioning.
Iranian security forces beat anti-government protesters with batons Wednesday on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies to mark the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover. The counterdemonstrations were the opposition’s first major show of force on Tehran’s streets in nearly two months.
Pakistan kills 12 militants
ISLAMABAD — Pakistani soldiers killed 12 militants in gun battles over the past day, officials said Saturday, as government forces pressed on with their offensive in the mountainous Taliban sanctuary of South Waziristan.
The military said while the army has taken control of two former strongholds — Sararogha and Ladha — there were still occasional clashes with militants. The army was still battling for full control of Makeen, which they call the “nerve center” of the Pakistani Taliban.
The fighting left a total of 12 militants dead and five Pakistani soldiers wounded over the past 24 hours, the military said in a statement, adding large numbers of weapons and ammunition had been found, some hidden in deep tunnels dug in the hills.
THE NUMBER: $150 million
The jackpot of the largest lottery pot ever paid out in the United Kingdom. European lottery officials say two British ticket-holders will share the jackpot. Lottery organizer Camelot says two tickets in Friday’s EuroMillions competition both won about $75 million each. The winners have yet to come forward.