The High Court has reserved judgment on an application by a major pharmaceutical group for an order preventing the continuation of an action against it by a man who claims his son's suicide was a side-effect of his use of a drug manufactured by the group for the treatment of acne.
At the conclusion of a two-day hearing yesterday, the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, said he would give his decision on the application during the next law term, which starts on May 25th.
Liam Grant (58), Wainsfort Manor Drive, Terenure, Dublin, suing on his own behalf and on behalf of other family members, has brought an action against Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd, a number of other Roche companies and the Irish Medicines Board, which deny the claims.
It is alleged by Mr Grant that the suicide of his son, also named Liam (20), on June 15th, 1997, was linked to the negligence of the Roche organisation in the manufacture of a drug sold here under the name Roaccutane and its failure to give proper advice and warnings in respect of its use.
Mr Justice Finnegan was told Mr Grant had turned down an offer of €37,000 made by the defence, without admission of liability, for mental distress and funeral expenses.
It was stated Mr Grant wanted the issue of liability determined and is also seeking €700,000 to meet the cost of research which he had commissioned.
Roche is seeking an order staying Mr Grant's proceedings or restraining their continuation.