Isotretinoin – Roaccutane
Isotretinoin was discovered by accident. In testing it on cancer patients, its manufacturer Hoffmann-La Roche noticed that it was improving patients’ skin. In 1982, the pharmaceutical industry giant managed to get it approved for the market as acne medication. Some 150 side effects have been attributed to this teratogenic drug, including psychosis and suicide.
Roche removed it from certain countries when its patent expired, and today isotretinoin is also marketed as a generic. Its usage is supposed to be limited to severe acne, but its impressive sale figures indicate that it might well be prescribed for much lighter cases.
Investigative documentaries:
Serena Tinari began investigating this drug in 2005, for an investigative documentary that was broadcasted by Swiss public TV show Falò RSI (in Italian, it was followed by two more, all of which are unfortunately not anymore available online). In the following years, these investigative documentaries were aired:
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2006 “Morire per la pelle” (Skin to Die for).
Broadcasted by Swiss public TV show Falò RSI (available here in Italian), by Rundschau SRF (available here in German) and by 36.9 RTS (available here in French). The documentary is also available here with English subtitles.
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2017 “Pericolo in pillole” (Danger into pills).
Broadcasted by Swiss public TV show Patti chiari RSI (available here in Italian) and by Swiss public TV show 36.9 RTS (available here in French).
