Family of Woman Killed by AIDS Drug Test Sues Doctors, Manufacturer

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ALLIANCE FOR HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTION (AHRP)

Promoting Openness and Full Disclosure

www.ahrp.org

FYI

The case of Joyce Anne Hafford's death sheds light on collusion to conceal

evidence of harm caused by experimental drugs. USA Today reports: " Family

members said they did not learn the National Institutes of Health had

concluded the drug therapy most likely caused Hafford's death until The

Associated Press obtained copies of the case file this month. For the past

year, family members believed Hafford died from AIDS complications. "

Contact: Vera Hassner Sharav

212-595-8974

veracare@...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-12-29-aids-drug-death_x.htm?POE=cli

ck-refer

USA TODAY

Family of woman killed by AIDS test drug sues doctors

MEMPHIS (AP) - The family of a pregnant woman who died while taking

experimental AIDS drugs to protect her baby from getting the disease is

suing the doctors, drug makers and hospitals involved in the study for $10

million.

Joyce Ann Hafford's mother and sister allege in the suit filed Tuesday that

doctors continued to give Hafford the drug regimen despite signs of liver

failure. The suit also claims doctors didn't warn the 33-year-old

HIV-positive woman of the trial's dangers.

" She trusted doctors to treat her, and they failed her, " said Rubbie King,

Hafford's sister.

A spokeswoman at Regional Medical Center in Memphis, where Hafford was

treated, said hospital policy prevented them from commenting on the suit.

Family members said they did not learn the National Institutes of Health had

concluded the drug therapy most likely caused Hafford's death until The

Associated Press obtained copies of the case file this month.

For the past year, family members believed Hafford died from AIDS

complications.

NIH officials quickly suspected the drug regimen because it included

nevirapine, an antiretroviral AIDS drug known to cause liver problems.

Hafford's death in August 2003, less than 72 hours after her son Sterling

was born prematurely, halted the federal government research program of

nevirapine.

Hafford learned she was HIV-positive when she became pregnant in spring

2003, and shortly after started the NIH-funded clinical trial of the drugs

Combivir and nevirapine, also known as Viramune, hoping to block

transmission to her son.

The baby was born HIV-negative.

The family first filed a wrongful death suit in June, but withdrew it in

September because lawyers felt they didn't have enough evidence.

Among the defendants named in the suit are several doctors and nurses who

treated Hafford, the Regional Medical Center and drug makers GlaxoKline

and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals.

A message at British manufacturer GlaxoKline's American offices said

they were closed for the holidays. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals is

based in Ridgefield, Conn.

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