Parents of Abortion Drug Victim Sue Drug Company

[Doc L]

December, 28 2004 Volume 2, Number 22

Parents of Abortion Drug Victim Sue Drug Company and Planned
Parenthood

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 Sept. 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 release by the hospital after being given pain medication.
Three days later on Sept. 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 Nov. 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 F.D.A. 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.

Culture of Life Foundation
1413 K Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington DC 20005
Phone: (202) 289-2500
E-mail: clf@culture-of-life.org
Website: http://www.culture-of-life.org