Drug maker Hoffman-La Roche recently triumphed in the first trial involving the acne medication Accutane, which has been linked to suicide in patients. Carla Gray, 38, alleged she became severely depressed after using Accutane for several years, a psychological effect that she claimed eventually destroyed her marriage. After hearing allegations from U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) that his son's suicide was due in part to Accutane-induced depression, Gray stopped using the drug. Shortly thereafter, she filed a $3 million product liability lawsuit.

At the trial, though, an Oklahoma jury agreed with defense attorneys, who argued that no scientific evidence exists proving Accutane's link to depression or suicide. According to defense attorneys, only anecdotal case studies exist. These reports are less authoritative than actual, controlled studies of Accutane and its effects. Witnesses for the defense also acknowledged that most leading scientific and medical experts disagree with the theory that the medication causes depression.

Plaintiff attorneys insist, though, that the Oklahoma verdict will have only a minimal effect on future cases. Last month, the mother of Charles Bishop, the 15-year-old pilot who committed suicide by flying a stolen Cessna into a Tampa high rise, filed a $70 million wrongful death lawsuit against La Roche after it was discovered that the teenager may have used Accutane before his death.