Acne Drug May Cause Birth Complications

Canadian women may not be using a popular acne medication properly, and it’s leading to pregnancy complications, miscarriages and birth defects. Researchers say as many as half of Canadian women do not adhere to the strict guidelines for use of Accutane, which include needing two negative pregnancy tests before getting a prescription and sticking to one of two birth control methods during treatment. Dr. David Henry, the study’s lead researcher and a senior scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, says the findings are meant to remind doctors prescribing the drug, pharmacists dispensing it, and patients using it, that they all have a role to play in explaining and following regulations. The study was commissioned by Health Canada.