Seemingly scarce news coverage has emerged about the personal struggles endured by thousands of women who were prescribed Yaz since its approval by the FDA in 2006. One might expect such a large number of lawsuits to generate hundreds of articles and interviews, and a lot more attention on the company who makes the pills. However, Bayer continues to market and produce its controversial prescription contraception with approval from the FDA.
As the lawsuits draw nearer to the proposed start date, more news coverage and investigative reports are likely to emerge. Stay tuned to our blog to find up to the minute coverage of the cases.
KOCO Eyewitness News of Oklahoma City recently presented an investigative report on some women’s claims of serious side effects they suffered while using Yaz. 15-year-old Katie Ketner suffered mysterious gallbladder disease that necessitated a surgical removal of the organ. She stopped taking Yaz and regained much of her previously-healthy condition.
Susan Gallenos wasn’t so lucky. Just one month into taking Yaz, Gallenos endured a stroke. Doctors removed part of her skull to alleviate severe swelling of her brain. The news piece reports, “She suffers chronic pain, has no short-term memory and can’t drive. Both Kate’s and Susan’s doctors believe that Yaz caused their health problems. Now, they – like nearly 4,000 other women with similar stories – have filed suit in a multi-district litigation, similar to a class-action lawsuit against Bayer.”
A Faster Times article mentions three separate studies of the active ingredients in Yaz and Yasmin. “The research on drospirenone is contradictory: one study sponsored by the manufacturer found no increased risk in blood clots, while two studies by independent researchers found a slight increase in blood clots from drospirenone.”
The KOCO piece notes that the FDA warned Bayer in 2008 to change their advertisements to include notice of the increased risk of serious side effects of Yaz and Yasmin. That piece of information does not make Bayer look good, especially when the studies not conducted by the company demonstrate an increased risk. A risk that Bayer chose to cover up and continues to ignore.
References:
Blanton, Anita. (November 4, 2010) “Investigation Uncovers Birth Control Problems.” Retrieved on November 5, 2010 from KOCO Oklahoma City.
Miller, Gregg A. (September 29, 2009) “Yaz and Yasmin: the Facts Behind the Hype.” Retrieved on November 5, 2010 from Faster Times.