Manufacturers and regulators unveiled data showing that more than 200 women took the drug, also sold under the generic name isotretinoin, while pregnant. The pregnancies came after the initiation in April 2002 of a program intended to prevent women from becoming pregnant while taking the drug or from using the drug if they are already pregnant.
The program, known as SMART (System to Manage Accutane Related Teratogenicity), was developed because data show that despite extensive warnings, pregnant women continue to receive Accutane prescriptions and women continue to become pregnant while taking Accutane.
Manufacturers told regulators that they were willing to move to an even stricter tracking program in an attempt to stave off further potential fetal exposures. An FDA advisory panel voted 16-8 on Friday to recommend a mandatory registry for all Accutane users. In addition, physicians and pharmacists must document that women are complying with pregnancy prevention measures.
The FDA is not bound by its advisory committees' recommendations but usually follows them.
Potential for Birth Defects
Accutane has been prescribed to millions of adolescents and adults and is deemed a highly effective treatment against recurrent and severe acne.
However, the drug carries heavy FDA warnings because it can cause organ damage or mental retardation in fetuses.
As part of the current risk management program, the prescriber must obtain an informed consent from the patient, counsel the patient, and provide educational materials as well as encourage enrollment in the voluntary Accutane Survey.
Women are supposed to have two negative pregnancy tests before receiving a prescription for the drug, which contains a qualifying sticker on the prescription. The woman must also use two forms of contraception during therapy.
Pharmacists dispense Accutane only if a valid sticker is in place and only within one week of the date on the prescription, and refills and dispensing of greater than 30 days' supply are not allowed.