Bart Stupak: “I come here tonight concerned about drug safety and to speak out to protect our children from the acne drug Accutane. As…”

“I come here tonight concerned about drug safety and to speak out to protect our children from the acne drug Accutane. As a legislator, I have called for more restrictions on the distribution of this drug, which is known to cause severe birth defects and a form of impulsive behavior and depression in people taking this drug. This drug has devastated my family with the loss of our son BJ and more than 250 other families who have lost their young son or daughter while he or she was taking the drug Accutane. Recent news stories concerning the safety of prescription drugs have quoted an FDA safety reviewer, Dr. David Graham, when he spoke to the Senate Finance Committee. Dr. Graham said, ``I would argue that the FDA as currently configured is incapable of protecting America against another Vioxx.'' He told the Senate Finance Committee that ``there are at least 5 other drugs on the market today that should be looked at seriously to see whether they should remain on the market.'' He cited the acne drug Accutane. Why Accutane? Accutane is the poster child for why we need an independent body to approve and review drug safety. Accutane causes horrendous birth defects and may cause psychiatric disorders such as depression and suicide. It is linked to over 250 suicides, according to the FDA.”