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Maidstone schoolgirl Charlotte Porter's parents call for acne drug ban on anniversary of DVT death

Charlotte Porter died of DVT in March 2010
Charlotte Porter died of DVT in March 2010

The parents of a teenager who died while taking an acne drug, which also has contraceptive properties, are calling on the government to follow France and stop people using it.

Charlotte Porter was just 17 when she died three years ago today of deep-vein thrombosis.

The Maplesden Noakes School pupil (pictured right) had been taking the drug Dianette before her death for a skin condition.

Now her parents Beverly and Trevor, from Maidstone, are reissuing a call for an investigation into the effects.

Mr Porter wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011, saying: "Dianette presents a risk of DVT of between four to seven times the risk of a normal contraceptive pill."

He received a response from the Department of Health, on behalf of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which said the safety of Dianette was being monitored.

But after hearing that France suspended the drug from sale this year, after it was linked to the deaths of four women, the Porters said the UK government needed to reconsider.

Mr Porter said he knew of nine cases in the UK with a Dianette link.

"I think it should be taken off the market certainly until it can be proved that it is safe. How many more have there got to be before someone wakes up and does something?"

Beverly and Trevor Porter, the parents of Charlotte Porter from Maidstone
Beverly and Trevor Porter, the parents of Charlotte Porter from Maidstone

The daughter of Beverly and Trevor Porter died of DVT in 2010

The MHRA said seven women taking Dianette have died in the past three years while taking the drug, but that none of the deaths had been directly attributed to the drug.

Mr and Mrs Porter, who have two other daughters, a granddaughter and another grandchild on the way, are now looking for legal help to push their campaign forward.

An award in Charlotte's name is presented in June at Maplesden Noakes School.

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