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    22

    Sept 2021

    Last Updated: 22/09/2021
    Health
    Health

    Parents' tribute to Harrogate girl on acne drug who took her life

    by Connor Creaghan

    | 22 Sept, 2021
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    Harrogate District Hospital had prescribed St Aidan's schoolgirl Annabel Wright, 15, the drug Roaccutane to treat her acne. Her parents blamed the drug for her suicide and say the hospital should have made the risks clearer.

    annabel-wright
    Annabel Wright took her own life.

    The heartbroken parents of a Harrogate schoolgirl who was on an acne drug when she took her life paid tribute to her at an inquest today.

    Annabel Wright, 15, was found dead in her room on the evening of May 1, 2019. Her parents discovered her body.

    Harrogate District Hospital had prescribed the schoolgirl, who attended St Aidan's Church of England High School in Harrogate, the drug Roaccutane, also known as isotretinoin, to treat her acne.

    Giving evidence at an inquest in Northallerton today, Helen and Simon Wright said Annabel was a happy child with no history of depression.

    Ms Wright said:

    "Annabel was the brightest child. She was easy going, happy and she never had any issues. She enjoyed school and had a great set of friends there.
    "I believe that Roaccutane led to her suicide. Normal, happy people like Annabel don't just commit suicide without any signs or anything leading up to it."


    Concerns about drug's link to suicide


    The inquest heard that in January 2019 Annabel had self-harmed. Mr and Ms Wright discussed the incident with their daughter but did not mention it to the doctor, as they did not think it was linked to her medication.

    When Annabel was first prescribed Roaccutane in October 2018, Ms Wright raised concerns about the drug after reading articles online linking it with suicide.

    The doctor told Ms Wright she believed there was no causal link between the drug and increased risk of suicide.

    Mr Wright said of his daughter:

    "She was perfect. We adored Annabel and she adored us, we were a close-knit family.
    "My wife and mother-in-law had taken our son out to a young farmers' club on the day that Annabel died.
    "I came home from work late at around 8pm and went to see Annabel in her room when we had a chat about the Spanish exam she took that morning."


    Mr Wright later went downstairs for dinner. When the rest of his family got back they went to check once again on Annabel.

    Mr Wright found his daughter's body and called for an ambulance, which took Annabel to hospital in Harrogate where she later died.




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    Parents say risk should have been made clearer


    Mr and Ms Wright both said they believed Roaccutane was the cause of Annabel's suicide and blamed the hospital for not making the risks clearer.

    The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust to respond to the Wrights' claims.

    Dr Jacqueline Andrews, executive medical director at the trust, said:

    “We wish to offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Annabel Wright.
    "Following Annabel’s tragic death, the trust commenced an investigation and our findings have been shared with Annabel’s family and HM Coroner.
    “Until the inquest has concluded we are unable to comment further.”


    The inquest into Annabel Wright's death continues.

    Samaritans are available 365 days a year for people in need of support. You can call them free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.