There have been two main Rhogam lawsuits:
1. Rhogam Thimerosal Lawsuit
In 2001, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the manufacturers of Rhogam, alleging that the drug contained thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, that caused autism and other developmental disabilities in children. The lawsuit was settled in 2006 for $49 million, but no finding of causation was made.
The lawsuit was based on the theory that thimerosal, which is a form of ethylmercury, can cross the placenta and damage the developing brain. However, there is no scientific consensus on whether thimerosal causes autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “the evidence does not support a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism spectrum disorder.”
2. Rhogam Misrepresentation Lawsuit
In 2023, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the manufacturers of Rhogam, alleging that the companies misrepresented the risks of the drug to pregnant women. The lawsuit alleges that the companies failed to warn women that Rhogam can cause serious side effects, including death.
The lawsuit is based on the allegation that the companies knew about the risks of Rhogam but failed to adequately warn women. The companies have denied the allegations and have said that they stand by the safety of Rhogam.
Impact of Rhogam Lawsuits
The Rhogam lawsuits have had a significant impact on the use of Rhogam. The thimerosal lawsuit led to a decrease in the use of thimerosal-containing vaccines, including Rhogam. The misrepresentation lawsuit has led to increased scrutiny of the safety of Rhogam.
Recommendations for Pregnant Women
If you are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of Rhogam. The CDC recommends that all pregnant women who are Rh-negative receive Rhogam to prevent Rh sensitization.
