Washington D.C., Jul 21, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The 17,000-member Christian Medical Association is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to pull an abortion drug for safety review after yet another two women died using the drug.
Mifeprex, or RU-486, has been linked to the deaths of at least five women since it was approved for use in 2000.
The Christian Medical Association’s appeal was issued July 20, one day after the FDA issued a public health advisory, alerting all doctors to be on the lookout for infections in women using the drug. Women may not have typical symptoms, such as a fever.
Eight months ago, the FDA warned about two sepsis cases associated with Mifeprex. Additional sepsis cases were reported to the agency in April and June.
"With every death of another woman due to RU-486, the FDA's mandate grows clearer—to pull this drug for an objective safety review,” said Dr. David Stevens, executive director of the Christian Medical Association. He said the medical association laments the tragic loss of lives of these women and the thousands of unborn babies killed by this drug.
RU-486 was initially approved “through a scientifically deficient and politically corrupted process,” he stated.
“We documented that corrupt and deficient process in a 90-page brief submitted three years ago, calling on the FDA to pull the drug for review,” he said. “The FDA has all the information it needs to get this dangerous drug off the shelves to protect the lives and health of American women.”
Stevens colleague and associate director, Dr. Gene Rudd, said many women “have suffered in other ways after using this pill.” He said many women live in pain and guilt after aborting their baby.
He urged women in crisis pregnancies to seek support from churches and crisis pregnancy centers. Women seeking such help can also call: 1-800-395-HELP.