Two more women die after taking abortion drug RU-486

Washington D.C., Mar 19, 2006 / 22:00 pm

Two pro-life groups are wondering why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still has not pulled Mifeprex, an abortion drug more commonly known as RU-486, after reporting March 17 that two more women died after taking it.

“How many women will have to die after taking this drug?” asked Randall O’Bannon of National Right to Life.

“One death is too many. But after at least seven American deaths and at least 12 reported deaths worldwide, it is clear that this drug should not be given to women,” said the organization’s director of education and research.

To date, the FDA has directly linked to the drug to the deaths of seven women. As well, the FDA has received more than 800 reports of complications caused by the drug. The FDA admits that only 10 percent of complications from drugs get reported.

An RU-486 abortion involves bleeding, pain, and cramping, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The expectation of these side effects often causes women and doctors to overlook important signs of infection or serious conditions, like ectopic pregnancy.

National Right to Life claims that many deaths and injuries related to the drug may never be reported. Reporting is voluntary, and women going to the emergency room may never tell the doctor they have taken the drug, the organization explained in a press release.

In another communiqué, Concerned Women for America pointed out that the FDA has pulled other drugs that have caused fewer deaths and less severe complications than RU-486.

For example, NeutroSpec, an imaging agent used to diagnose internal infections, was pulled after being linked to two deaths, 20 severe reactions, and 46 other "less" severe reactions.

Tysabri, a drug to treat multiple sclerosis, was pulled after reports that three patients taking it had developed PML, a rare brain disease.

Lotronex, used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, was taken off the market after 70 patients had developed severe problems, and five patients died.

Given the statistics, the CWA is wondering why the FDA is slacking in pulling Mifeprex off the shelf. Mifeprex is distributed by Danco.