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22
Sept 2021
Parents' tribute to Harrogate girl on acne drug who took her 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:
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:
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:
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.
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