Trenton, NJ – Marcus Rayner, executive director of the New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance, a statewide, bipartisan group of individuals, businesses and organizations dedicated to improving the state’s civil justice system and advocating for legal reform in the legislature and in the courts, today issued the following statement in reaction to Roche’s announcement that the company will immediately discontinue Accutane®, a treatment for severe acne:

“Thanks to an aggressive, self-interested campaign by personal injury lawyers, an important medical breakthrough deemed safe and effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and that helped more than 13 million patients treat severe acne was voluntarily removed from the market today by the manufacturer. This leaves millions of patients around the world with fewer treatment options.

“New Jersey companies lead the world in discovering medical innovations like Accutane®, which have improved the quality of life of millions. But the high cost of frivolous lawsuits – like the Accutane® cases being tried in New Jersey – threatens medical progress.

“The trial bar shouldn’t leave patients out in the cold. NJLRA will continue to fight for common sense reforms that improve our courts and protect patients.”