NJLRA Statement in Response to Roche's Discontinuation of Accutane(R)

TRENTON, N.J., June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- 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(R), 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(R), which have improved the quality of life of millions. But the
high cost of frivolous lawsuits -- like the Accutane(R) 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."

Contact: Marcus Rayner
(609) 651-3774
mrayner@njlra.org

SOURCE New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance

Marcus Rayner of NJLRA, +1-609-651-3774, mrayner@njlra.org