The parents of a young woman whose death was linked to the abortion pill Mifeprex have filed suit against the drug's maker for wrongful death and product liability. Holly Patterson, who died at the age of 18 in September of 2003, is the third woman since the drug's 2000 approval to die in connection with taking Mifeprex.
On September 10, 2003, only a month after turning 18, Patterson took Mifeprex, also called mifepristone and RU-486. Four days later she had her boyfriend take her to the emergency room because of heavy bleeding and cramps. She told her parents the pain was from severe menstrual cramps. She was released by the hospital after being given pain medication. Three days later on September 17, she returned to the hospital where she experienced intense pain and bleeding and then died. Patterson's autopsy determined her death was “due to endomyometritis (inflammation)” caused by “therapeutic, drug-induced abortion.”
A spokeswoman for Danco Laboratories, the maker of the abortion pill, said, “No causal relationship between the use of the Mifeprex regimen and the unfortunate death of Ms. Patterson has been established.” Mark Crawford, the lawyer representing Patterson's parents, said the suit is not intended to cause media hype. “I haven't filed this thing to get publicity. It's filed because there's been some wrongdoing on the part of the drug manufacturer and drug sponsor here in not getting the warning out.”
Officials with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) believe the potential for Mifeprex to cause significant harm to those who take it to be so serious that on November 15 they strengthened the warning label that comes with the pills. “The new warnings to health care providers and consumers include changes to the existing black box on the product to add new information on the risk of serious bacterial infections, sepsis, and bleeding and death that may occur following any termination of pregnancy, including use of Mifeprex,” according to an FDA statement.
A New York Times story reported that in addition to the three deaths linked to the drug, the FDA has received 676 reports of problems. Among those were 72 cases of blood loss requiring transfusions and 7 cases of serious infections. According to the story, the stronger warning label was a step in the right direction for Patterson's father, but more steps should be taken. “Holly did not die in vain,” said Patterson's father. “I'm not convinced this drug is safe and I still think it should be banned.”
Some leaders in the pro-life community believe that regardless of the final verdict, the case could be significant. Information about Mifeprex that becomes public as a result of the pre-trial investigation may prove to be embarrassing to the drug maker. The lawsuit also names Population Council, Planned Parenthood of Golden Gate, where Patterson received the medicine; the doctor who treated Patterson; and the operators of the hospital where Patterson died. None of the organization would provide comment. The amount of money sought in the suit was not specified.
(This article courtesy of The Culture of Life Foundation and Institute.)
