The Nation - News from Sept. 8, 1988

The maker of the anti-acne medicine Accutane announced a federally sanctioned program aimed at preventing the drug’s use during pregnancy, a practice that studies show can cause birth defects. The drug, sold by Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. since 1982, has been identified by the company as a factor in at least 70 cases of birth defects. Donald D. Hollander, president of the Nutley, N.J.-based company’s Roche Dermatologics division, said the manufacturer will begin requiring physicians prescribing Accutane to obtain a signature on a patient consent form advising of the drug’s risks.