It did make my acne disappear almost completely, though not permanently. While taking the drug for the prescribed five-month course, I had dry, peeling lips, conjunctivitis, and dry, frizzy hair. These are standard side- effects, as the drug dries up one’s oil glands. My joints ached at times, my cholesterol and triglyceride levels rose significantly, and I either had to prove to my dermatologist that I was using birth control or have regular pregnancy tests, because of the damage Accutane could do to a foetus.
I would prefer to see more effort and money put into researching the cause of acne and counselling sufferers before making Roaccutane easier to get.Name and address supplied.

Joan Smith says that the media reaction to Diana’s death was excessive ( 21 September) This is quite contrary to my experience here. There were red eyes to be seen in the streets before the funeral, and I know several people who signed the local book of condolences. The employment was properly registered in the Commons and I did not use that position for advocacy in Parliament. The salary was published in our accounts.The countryside movement existed to deal with all countryside interests.

In my 18 months I made only one speech on hunting – to a hunting organisation – and one on access. Most of our time was spent on issues from education to housing, from animal welfare to telephone masts and waste dumping. At the end I was glad to help organise the amalgamation of three organisations into one Countryside Alliance. I am proud to be deputy chairman of that, and chairman (unpaid!) of its countryside committee which deals with the non-field sports interests of the Alliance.David SteelLondon SW1. Anyone considering taking Roaccutane for severe acne (“Skin diseases drive sufferers to suicide”, 21 September) should fully understand what its side-effects are first. I took Accutane (as it was called) 13 years ago in America. Throughout most of my 32 years in Parliament I had no significant outside interests.