I blogged earlier this year regarding the FDA’s reprimand of Bayer, the manufacturer of Yaz, the most popular birth control pill in the country, and its sister brand Yasmin. Bayer was ordered to stop running misleading ads that claimed Yaz was a cure for PMS and acne. Bayer responded with supposed “corrective” ads, but still pushed its money-making drug as a modern, sassy alternative to the old style birth control pill. Earlier this month, Bayer was once again reprimanded by the FDA after a failed inspection of several batches of Yaz’s key ingredient.
Criticism and complaints have been mounting from former users of Yaz. As a result, Bayer is currently facing at least 74 lawsuits filed in connection with injuries caused by Yaz and Yasmin. The plaintiffs in the filed cases claim the pills put women at higher risk for strokes, blood clots and other health problems than other birth control pills on the market. Until the scientific data is more definitive, women may be taking unnecessary risks by using these drugs. Its up to them to weigh the potential risks to their health.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
