Irish court delays ruling in Roche acne drug case

A judge said on Wednesday he would rule later this year on whether an Irish man who believes the acne drug Accutane caused his son's suicide can continue to sue the drugmaker after he rejected an out-of-court settlement.

Justice Joseph Finnegan reserved judgment in the case brought by Liam Grant against Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Holdings AG at the High Court in Dublin.

Roche had hoped to get the case dismissed after Grant turned down a settlement in which the company and its co-defendants would pay the maximum damages allowable under Irish law plus related costs, but would not accept liability.

Grant, however, wants to get a court to rule that Accutane was behind the death of his 20-year-old son, also named Liam, and that Roche knew the drug posed a serious risk.

The company said that it is sympathetic toward Grant, scientific evidence shows there is no direct link between Accutane and an increased risk of depression, psychiatric disorders or suicide.

Regulators in the United States have already imposed tighter prescription controls on the drug to prevent harm to unborn children.

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) researcher told a U.S. Senate hearing in November that Accutane was among five drugs on the market that need closer scrutiny, although the FDA later said that testimony did not reflect its views.

Judge Finnegan said he would deliver his ruling on whether Grant can proceed with his case some time after May 25th.