Users of the popular fourth generation drospirenone birth control pills Yaz or Yasmin who have experienced any of the side effects associated with them should consult a Yaz lawyer who is knowledgeable about the products in order to determine whether or not they have a case. Side effects that have been reported include blood clots, gallbladder disease, heart attack, and stroke.
For some users, it will be too late to file a suit. However, for most side effect victims, there is still time – the Yaz, Yasmin statute of limitations related to personal injury vary from state to state, and in most states the statue of limitations is 2 to 4 years after the discovery of the injury. This means users of products that may cause side effects have 2 to 4 years after the side effect is discovered to file suit. Unfortunately, this time has expired for some women on the pill.
Yasmin has been on the market in the United States since 2001, and Yaz has been available since 2006. Health problems relating to these medications may appear right away, or might crop up after years of use without any Yaz side effects. It is important for a plaintiff to know when side effects first arose when filing a lawsuit. In addition, there are circumstances in which a judge may choose to extend a statue of limitations for a particular case – for example, if a medical professional leads a patient to believe that a condition they are suffering stems from something other than a medication they have been taking, if the medication is proven to be at fault the statue of limitations may be extended. Potential plaintiffs should not only inform their attorney of the first appearance of a side effect, but also of when they may have discovered the possibility of the side effect being linked to Yaz or Yasmin.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Will There Be A Yaz Recall?
Many are wondering if the FDA is ever going to decide to order a complete Yaz recall. It hasn’t happened yet and it may never happen. But considering the history of the drug and the allegations made against both the drug and its manufacturers it is very possible that there is a Yaz recall in the near future.
Thousands of women have found themselves the victim of Yaz and Yasmin side effects. Some of the most common (and serious) Yaz and Yasmin side effects include: gallbladder disease, stroke and pulmonary embolism. During a 4 year time span (from 2004 to 2008) there were 50 reports of Yaz and Yasmin linked deaths reported to the FDA.
A lethal Yaz pulmonary embolism can also occur. This occurs after a blood clot forms and it then travels through the bloodstream and ends up blocking the main artery of the lung.
The British Medical Journal published a study in 2009 that confirmed the dangers posed by Yaz and Yasmin. The study clearly showed that there was a 6.3-fold increase in blood clot incidence among women on drospirenone containing pills like Yaz and Yasmin.
Another major Yaz or Yasmin side effect is gallbladder disease. There are more than 6,000 US lawsuits currently filed against Bayer. Gallbladder claims make up more than 40% of the 6,000.
A recall is ordered by the FDA when new discoveries are made or new information is revealed that indicates that a drug that is currently approved for use actually has a risk-benefit profile leaving the risk outweighing the benefits available through proper use of the drug. Weighing the risks against the benefits is nowhere near an exact science; it is merely opinion based on fact and circumstance. Therefore it cannot be determined if and when the FDA will issue a Yasmin or Yaz recall. There is not set numerical point at which the recall will automatically ensue.
Darvocet (a popular painkiller) was recalled by the FDA in 2010. It had been on the market and used regularly as a common pain killer for over 50 years. New testing and analysis on Darvocet led the conclusions that the drug could potentially cause cardiac arrhythmia even when it was taken correctly as prescribed.
Past experiences like the Darvocet recall indicate that future studies on Yaz and Yasmin will be vital in creating the impetus needed to bring the risk-benefit profile to light clearly in order to result in a recall. Yaz and Yasmin have been on the market for less than a decade.
Many hope that new research will come to light regarding Yaz and Yasmin that will lead the FDA to call for a recall on the oral contraceptive that so obviously has causal connections to both gallbladder disease and blood clots.
Thousands of women have found themselves the victim of Yaz and Yasmin side effects. Some of the most common (and serious) Yaz and Yasmin side effects include: gallbladder disease, stroke and pulmonary embolism. During a 4 year time span (from 2004 to 2008) there were 50 reports of Yaz and Yasmin linked deaths reported to the FDA.
Yaz, Yasmin side effects: What Causes Them?
Yaz and Yasmin are both oral contraceptives. They contain a relatively new synthetic progestin called drospirenone. Experts speculate that drospirenone may cause potassium fluctuations. Potassium fluctuations can slow the heart rate. A decrease in the speed of the heart rate can result in an increased likelihood of blood clot formation.A lethal Yaz pulmonary embolism can also occur. This occurs after a blood clot forms and it then travels through the bloodstream and ends up blocking the main artery of the lung.
The British Medical Journal published a study in 2009 that confirmed the dangers posed by Yaz and Yasmin. The study clearly showed that there was a 6.3-fold increase in blood clot incidence among women on drospirenone containing pills like Yaz and Yasmin.
Another major Yaz or Yasmin side effect is gallbladder disease. There are more than 6,000 US lawsuits currently filed against Bayer. Gallbladder claims make up more than 40% of the 6,000.
Increasing Reports of Adverse Reaction Has Not Resulted in Yaz Recall
There is no evidence that Yaz or Yasmin is more effective than other forms of birth control. At the same time there is evidence that Yaz or Yasmin is more dangerous than other forms of birth control due to the side effects. In spite of this, the FDA has no yet issued a Yasmin or Yaz recall.A recall is ordered by the FDA when new discoveries are made or new information is revealed that indicates that a drug that is currently approved for use actually has a risk-benefit profile leaving the risk outweighing the benefits available through proper use of the drug. Weighing the risks against the benefits is nowhere near an exact science; it is merely opinion based on fact and circumstance. Therefore it cannot be determined if and when the FDA will issue a Yasmin or Yaz recall. There is not set numerical point at which the recall will automatically ensue.
Darvocet (a popular painkiller) was recalled by the FDA in 2010. It had been on the market and used regularly as a common pain killer for over 50 years. New testing and analysis on Darvocet led the conclusions that the drug could potentially cause cardiac arrhythmia even when it was taken correctly as prescribed.
Past experiences like the Darvocet recall indicate that future studies on Yaz and Yasmin will be vital in creating the impetus needed to bring the risk-benefit profile to light clearly in order to result in a recall. Yaz and Yasmin have been on the market for less than a decade.
Many hope that new research will come to light regarding Yaz and Yasmin that will lead the FDA to call for a recall on the oral contraceptive that so obviously has causal connections to both gallbladder disease and blood clots.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Yaz Lawsuits Flood Courts Over Serious Side Effects
Amidst allegations that their birth control brands Yaz and Yasmin, drospirenone products, can cause serious and possibly life-threatening side effects, the Bayer Corporation has been flooded with Yaz lawsuits from women who feel that the company misrepresented its product.
Concerning side effects that some women have experienced include blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, gall bladder disease, and pancreatitis – even in patients who would have otherwise been healthy. The Food and Drug Administration has advised the Bayer Corporation that they have misrepresented their product in advertisements, in which they exaggerate the benefits of the product and gloss over the more worrying side effects.
Despite this, neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the Bayer Corporation have issued a recall of the product, and many lawsuits are being filed by women who have suffered some of the more serious side effects. Bayer Corporation has failed to acknowledge that the risks of taking Yaz or Yasmin outweigh the benefits, especially since there are other medications on the market that perform the task that these drugs are meant to.
The number of women who are reporting serious complications relating to these medications is on the increase, but Yaz and Yasmin remain among the most popular forms of oral contraceptives on the market.
If you've been injured, your best option is to consult a Yaz lawyer experienced in pharmaceutical litigation and product liability lawsuits. Many young women have had serious adverse side effects while on Yaz birth control.
If you've been injured, your best option is to consult a Yaz lawyer experienced in pharmaceutical litigation and product liability lawsuits. Many young women have had serious adverse side effects while on Yaz birth control.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Yasmin Side Effects May Lead to Recall
Although none has been initiated yet, the side effects surrounding popular fourth-generation birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin may lead to a recall of the product by the Food and Drug Administration. The Food and Drug Administration goes forward with a recall when it is determined that the risks associated with a product outweigh their benefit to the consumer. There is no scientific method to determine whether or not this is the case, but the seriousness of Yaz and Yasmin side effects seem significant, while the products are among many birth control options – most of which do not pose the same risks to consumers.
Drospirenone: the cause of Yaz side effects
Yaz and Yasmin are both manufactured by the Bayer Corporation and contain the relatively new synthetic progestin hormone drospirenone, which has been known to cause fluctuations in potassium levels in the blood. This can lead to a slowed heart rate and subsequently to blood clots, which can block the main artery to a lung and cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism. 50 deaths have already been reported related to Yaz and Yasmin.
Gallbladder disease is another concern – 40 percent of the 6,000 and some lawsuits in the Yaz and Yasmin cases are regarding gallbladder disease, and many more women are experiencing other side effects such as stroke and heart attack, pulmonary thrombosis, and other serious and potentially fatal conditions. Women who take Yaz birth control are 6.3 times as likely to develop a blood clot as women who take other forms of birth control without drospirenone. There are many forms of oral contraceptives that are less dangerous than Yaz and Yasmin and simply do not come with the same side effects.
In the future, many more studies may be conducted on drospirenone-containing birth control pills, and these will be instrumental in determining whether or not the Food and Drug Administration will initiate a recall of Yaz and Yasmin.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Who Should File a Yaz Lawsuit?
Women who took the popular oral contraceptives Yaz or Yasmin have the option of filing suit against the drug makers. Certain factors determine eligibility for filing. Each lawsuit is unique and each individual’s specific Yaz or Yasmin prescription, use and subsequent side effects are taken into account.
Individuals Who Are Yaz or Yasmin Lawsuit Eligible are Those:
- Who were given a prescription for the popular oral contraceptive Yaz or Yasmin
- Who developed Yaz or Yasmin side effects after using the drug: blood clot, pulmonary embolism, gallbladder disease, etcetera while on Yaz or Yasmin
- Who have lost a family member due to Yaz or Yasmin use
Yaz is the most common name for the popular oral contraceptive cited in the lawsuits. But it is also known as Yasmin and Ocella. The drug is made with drospirenone (DSRP) and ethinyl estradiol. It is the only contraceptive made with DSRP. Because of this unique ingredient the drug is sometimes referred to as DSRP birth control pills. The list of side effects attached to the oral contraceptive is currently numbering 40. While side effects are a normal consideration when starting a new medication…a list of 40 side effects is excessive.
The most severe side effects associated with Yaz or Yasmin are: DVT or deep vein thrombosis, fatal blood clots, heart attacks, pulmonary embolism (PE), and strokes. Other Yaz and Yasmin side effects include: kidney failure, renal failure, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and gallbladder removal.
Women thinking about filing a Yaz or Yasmin lawsuit in order to be awarded compensatory damages for injuries and expenses should discuss the details of their case with an experienced lawyer. A lawyer experienced in Yaz lawsuit litigation is the only one qualified to aid potential plaintiffs in determining the potential of a case and the proper action to be taken in filing. While the pharmaceutical company still denies all liability…this does not preclude prospective plaintiffs from filing Yaz or Yasmin lawsuits.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Yaz Has Killed, Now it’s Payback Time
According to the National Law Journal, the makers of Yaz, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, have four cases against them stating that their birth control pills have ended the lives of 50 women. These same statistics are being reported by the FDA. The explanation for these deaths comes from the fact that Yaz and Yasmin have a higher chance of giving someone a blood clot than other birth control pills.
In addition to the 50 women who have died because of Yaz, thousands more have been introduced to its serious and life threatening side effects. Because of this, lawsuits against Yaz are growing with no sign of stopping.
People want Payback
Thousands upon thousands of women and families are currently waiting for their day to take Bayer to court for what Yaz and Yasmin have done to them. When Bayer first introduced Yaz to the market, they advertised it along with the slogan “beyond birth control.” What they might not have known at the time is just how much more their pills do.
In fact, their pill comes loaded with side effects such as pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, gall bladder disease, and death. What’s worse is that these side effects strike quickly. The FDA has since told Bayer to change their advertising methods, and to include the side effects in their commercials.
State Court Litigation
Presiding over the cases in New Jersey will be Judge Brian Martinotti. Presiding over the cases in Pennsylvania will be Judge Sandra Mazer Moss. Because of the sheer amount of cases that have been filed against Bayer, the courts have decided to consolidate them into only a few cases which will make it quicker and easier for everyone involved.
The cases taking place at the state level involve women who are saying that taking Yaz and Yasmin has given them blood clots, stokes, pulmonary embolisms, gall bladder disease, and other things.
Federal Court Litigation
Presiding over the federal court cases will be Chief Judge David R. Herndon from the Southern District of Illinois. All of these cases have also been consolidated just like the state court cases.
The three main federal court cases deal with three women who are claiming that they have either had a pulmonary embolism, gall bladder disease, or deep vein thrombosis after taking Yaz or Yasmin. These three cases have been assigned into bellwether trials, which will help the courts speed things up and decide sooner as to how much merit the cases have, and will help Bayer decide whether or not they need to settle.
Finally Some Relief
Now that these cases are being introduced to court, those involved can finally start to get their payback against Bayer. Although the road is long and uncertain, hopefully these cases give some relief to those affected by Yaz or Yasmin.
In addition to the 50 women who have died because of Yaz, thousands more have been introduced to its serious and life threatening side effects. Because of this, lawsuits against Yaz are growing with no sign of stopping.
People want Payback
Thousands upon thousands of women and families are currently waiting for their day to take Bayer to court for what Yaz and Yasmin have done to them. When Bayer first introduced Yaz to the market, they advertised it along with the slogan “beyond birth control.” What they might not have known at the time is just how much more their pills do.
In fact, their pill comes loaded with side effects such as pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, gall bladder disease, and death. What’s worse is that these side effects strike quickly. The FDA has since told Bayer to change their advertising methods, and to include the side effects in their commercials.
State Court Litigation
Presiding over the cases in New Jersey will be Judge Brian Martinotti. Presiding over the cases in Pennsylvania will be Judge Sandra Mazer Moss. Because of the sheer amount of cases that have been filed against Bayer, the courts have decided to consolidate them into only a few cases which will make it quicker and easier for everyone involved.
The cases taking place at the state level involve women who are saying that taking Yaz and Yasmin has given them blood clots, stokes, pulmonary embolisms, gall bladder disease, and other things.
Federal Court Litigation
Presiding over the federal court cases will be Chief Judge David R. Herndon from the Southern District of Illinois. All of these cases have also been consolidated just like the state court cases.
The three main federal court cases deal with three women who are claiming that they have either had a pulmonary embolism, gall bladder disease, or deep vein thrombosis after taking Yaz or Yasmin. These three cases have been assigned into bellwether trials, which will help the courts speed things up and decide sooner as to how much merit the cases have, and will help Bayer decide whether or not they need to settle.
Finally Some Relief
Now that these cases are being introduced to court, those involved can finally start to get their payback against Bayer. Although the road is long and uncertain, hopefully these cases give some relief to those affected by Yaz or Yasmin.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Yaz News Depends on Bellwether Trials
Millions of women across the country have been prescribed Yaz or a similar product – fourth-generation birth control pills, containing the artificial hormone drospirenone. Thousands of these women have recently filed lawsuits against the makers of Yaz and Yasmin after experiencing conditions such as venous thromboembolism (including pulmonary embolism), gallbladder injury or disease, and stroke or heart attack. Nearly four thousand lawsuits filed in federal courts are already in the legal system, consolidated into a multidistrict litigation lawsuit that will be presided over by Judge David Herndon of the Southern District of Illinois.
A multidistrict litigation case is a lawsuit similar to class action, in which similar cases from multiple districts are consolidated into one lawsuit that deals with the pretrial process of all of the cases. Unlike class action, however, when the pretrial process is complete the cases are sent back to the courts from which they originated to be decided. This speeds the legal process because the pretrial process is expedited and plaintiffs can expect a settlement sooner.
In the Yaz case, three preliminary trials – called bellwether trials – will be staged before the rest of the cases make their way through the legal system, enabling both clients and lawyers to gauge what the trial process in this particular case is going to be like and giving some idea of the kind of settlement plaintiffs are likely to receive. The first bellwether trial is set for the 12th of September, 2011. It will involve pulmonary embolism. The other two bellwether trials will take place the following year and involve thromboembolism and gallbladder disease, both of which are common side effects of Yaz and Yasmin birth control.
The majority of Yaz and Yasmin cases are thromboembolism and gallbladder injury claims, although stroke and heart attack claims make up ten percent of cases.
A multidistrict litigation case is a lawsuit similar to class action, in which similar cases from multiple districts are consolidated into one lawsuit that deals with the pretrial process of all of the cases. Unlike class action, however, when the pretrial process is complete the cases are sent back to the courts from which they originated to be decided. This speeds the legal process because the pretrial process is expedited and plaintiffs can expect a settlement sooner.
In the Yaz case, three preliminary trials – called bellwether trials – will be staged before the rest of the cases make their way through the legal system, enabling both clients and lawyers to gauge what the trial process in this particular case is going to be like and giving some idea of the kind of settlement plaintiffs are likely to receive. The first bellwether trial is set for the 12th of September, 2011. It will involve pulmonary embolism. The other two bellwether trials will take place the following year and involve thromboembolism and gallbladder disease, both of which are common side effects of Yaz and Yasmin birth control.
The majority of Yaz and Yasmin cases are thromboembolism and gallbladder injury claims, although stroke and heart attack claims make up ten percent of cases.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Yaz Side Effects Continue to Cause Legal Problems
Thousands of women have experienced some of the severe side effects of drospirenone-based birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin and have filed lawsuits seeking compensation for their injury at the hands of the supposedly safe fourth-generation pill. Out of around 3,700 lawsuits, 43 percent are related to gallbladder injury, 41 percent are related to thromboembolism, which includes pulmonary embolism, and 10 percent are perhaps the most serious of all – lawsuits related to claims of stroke and heart attack.
These statistics, while subject to change as more news on the state of Yaz lawsuits is reported, are a fairly accurate reflection of the side effects women have been experiencing as a result of this birth control drug – and a good reason for the lawsuits surrounding it. Yaz lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation, a process that consolidates similar cases into one court, then completes the pretrial process – in this case, the presiding judge for this will be David Herndon of the Southern District of Illinois – and sends the cases back to the courts from which they originated.
Although the pretrial process is already underway, it may not be too late for potential plaintiffs to come forward – people who think they may have a case should consult an experienced trial lawyer, who can advise them from there.
These statistics, while subject to change as more news on the state of Yaz lawsuits is reported, are a fairly accurate reflection of the side effects women have been experiencing as a result of this birth control drug – and a good reason for the lawsuits surrounding it. Yaz lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation, a process that consolidates similar cases into one court, then completes the pretrial process – in this case, the presiding judge for this will be David Herndon of the Southern District of Illinois – and sends the cases back to the courts from which they originated.
Bellwether trials to commence
Bellwether trials, or preliminary trials, are set to begin as early as this year, with the first one – dealing with pulmonary embolism – scheduled for September 12, 2011. These trials will help lawyers and plaintiffs estimate what the trial process will look like for them and what kind of settlement they might expect based on the results of these trials. Three bellwether trials will take place altogether – besides the one this year, a Yaz gallbladder disease trial will take place on January 9th of next year, and a thromboembolism case is set for April 2nd, 2012.Although the pretrial process is already underway, it may not be too late for potential plaintiffs to come forward – people who think they may have a case should consult an experienced trial lawyer, who can advise them from there.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Waiting for Yaz Settlement Amounts
Drugmaker Bayer has seen numerous Yaz lawsuits being filed against them throughout the nation. However, there is currently no word of any Yaz injury settlement being disclosed.
In the interests of coordinating the management of the cases throughout discovery, and during the bellwether trials, as well as the management of any efforts to negotiate settlements, all of the Yaz and Yasmin injury lawsuits filed anywhere in the nation are being processed through the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. In a similar fashion, state court cases that were originally filed in Pennsylvania or New Jersey have also been organized under consolidated management. An important element in this coordinated element is that both courts are highly likely to encourage Bayer and the plaintiffs to talk about settlement amounts for the Yaz or Yasmin lawsuits before any of the cases actually reach trial.
Bayer Faces Thousands of Lawsuits
As of November 2010 there were thousands of individual lawsuits filed against the manufacturer of Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives. This number continues to rise today. Experts believe that at some point Bayer pharmaceutical company will be forced to reach a settlement with as many as 25,000 Yaz lawsuit plaintiffs. There is not a class-action Yaz lawsuit underway at this time, and the separate cases have been consolidated into a single multi-district litigation (MDL) process.Yaz Trials Will Begin in September 2011
The first trial in this consolidated MDL may take place in U.S. federal court as soon as September 2011. At the present time Bayer shows every sign that they intend to fight these cases and that they are not open to settling any of the Yaz or Yasmin lawsuits. Despite these indications, our experienced Yaz lawsuit and injury attorneys believe that Bayer will start to negotiate for individual Yasmin or Yaz injury lawsuit claims, or even make plans to settle international Yaz injury claims, as litigation nears its trial date. The Yasmin and Yaz injury lawsuits have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings in the federal courts, and this has also occurred in several states.In the interests of coordinating the management of the cases throughout discovery, and during the bellwether trials, as well as the management of any efforts to negotiate settlements, all of the Yaz and Yasmin injury lawsuits filed anywhere in the nation are being processed through the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. In a similar fashion, state court cases that were originally filed in Pennsylvania or New Jersey have also been organized under consolidated management. An important element in this coordinated element is that both courts are highly likely to encourage Bayer and the plaintiffs to talk about settlement amounts for the Yaz or Yasmin lawsuits before any of the cases actually reach trial.
Unacceptable Practices by Bayer
In these Yaz and Yasmin injury lawsuits, claims are made that Bayer did not do sufficient research on Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives. Claims are also made that they failed to properly warn women of the unusually high risks of forming potentially life-threatening side effects which include the following:- Liver cancer, liver tumors, severe liver bleeding
- Breast cancer
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- High blood pressure
- Total loss of vision
- Blood clots
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Gall bladder disease
- Pulmonary embolism
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Yaz Lawsuits Overwhelmed With Information
Bayer Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of the once-popular but now-controversial birth control pills marketed under the brand names Yaz and Yasmin, are protesting requests for the company to provide documents related to regulations, warnings, sales and marketing, and safety in regards to the birth control products. Plaintiffs in some of the thousands of lawsuits against the company in regards to the birth control pills are requesting this information, supposedly to help build evidence against the pharmaceutical giant. However, Bayer claims that the requests are not for evidence, but for leverage against the company.
Bayer claims to already have provided about 40 million pages of relevant documents for consideration, with an agreement to produce up to 30 million more pages as Yaz lawsuits progress through the legal system. However, the company believes that plaintiffs are requesting this information not as evidence but as leverage against the company. Yaz lawyers, however, are arguing that Bayer did not show any special burden in producing the information, and – although the company has claimed otherwise – assured the defendant that all requests would be simply for documents in English.
Judge David Herndon is handling the early bellwether trials in the case and also deals with any preliminary settlement negotiation attempts related to the case. He has expressed his frustration with the defendant, calling the pharmaceuticals giant “anything but cooperative” and pointing out the large amount of time the defendants are wasting by being stubborn in this early information-collection stage. There are more than 6,000 Yaz- and Yasmin-related lawsuits waiting for trial, all of which involve plaintiffs who have taken the medication, in branded or generic form, and have experienced side effects such as deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, stroke, gallbladder disease, pulmonary embolism, or kidney disease. Plaintiffs are hoping for a Yasmin settlement that will cover the money they have spent trying to treat their side effects.
Bayer claims to already have provided about 40 million pages of relevant documents for consideration, with an agreement to produce up to 30 million more pages as Yaz lawsuits progress through the legal system. However, the company believes that plaintiffs are requesting this information not as evidence but as leverage against the company. Yaz lawyers, however, are arguing that Bayer did not show any special burden in producing the information, and – although the company has claimed otherwise – assured the defendant that all requests would be simply for documents in English.
Judge David Herndon is handling the early bellwether trials in the case and also deals with any preliminary settlement negotiation attempts related to the case. He has expressed his frustration with the defendant, calling the pharmaceuticals giant “anything but cooperative” and pointing out the large amount of time the defendants are wasting by being stubborn in this early information-collection stage. There are more than 6,000 Yaz- and Yasmin-related lawsuits waiting for trial, all of which involve plaintiffs who have taken the medication, in branded or generic form, and have experienced side effects such as deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, stroke, gallbladder disease, pulmonary embolism, or kidney disease. Plaintiffs are hoping for a Yasmin settlement that will cover the money they have spent trying to treat their side effects.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Yaz Side Effects Affect Women Everywhere
Yaz side effects first came under public scrutiny in 2009, when lawsuits began to be filed against the Bayer Corporation by women who had experienced some of the severe side effects of the birth control pills – gallbladder disease, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Some of these conditions have proved fatal, and it is estimated that at least 50 women have died from Yaz side effects in the United States since the pills were first introduced.
Lawsuits are also taking place in Canada, where Yaz and a similar product, Yasmin, were approved for the Canadian market in 2008. Both are considered fourth-generation birth control pills, because the synthetic hormone they contain – drospirenone – is different from the synthetic hormone in most other hormone-based birth control systems. Lawsuits in both the United States and Canada have been consolidated either into class action or multidistrict litigation lawsuits, with the United States’ multidistrict litigation suit taking place in the Southern District Court of Illinois. This will streamline the legal process and hopefully net plaintiffs a quicker settlement.
Plaintiffs are filing suit against Bayer for various reasons, but most lawsuits have one thing in common – they claim that the medication did not come with adequate warnings that outlined the true possible risks involved with taking it. Bayer failed to warn potential consumers, and even doctors, that the risks involved in this fourth-generation birth control were different and potentially more serious than those associated with other forms of hormonal birth control. As side effects of the medication continue to come to light, more and more women are likely to file suit against Bayer Pharmaceuticals in courts both in Canada and the United States. The total number is yet to be seen – Yaz and Yasmin were prescribed to about 2 million patients in the United States and Canada alone.
Lawsuits are also taking place in Canada, where Yaz and a similar product, Yasmin, were approved for the Canadian market in 2008. Both are considered fourth-generation birth control pills, because the synthetic hormone they contain – drospirenone – is different from the synthetic hormone in most other hormone-based birth control systems. Lawsuits in both the United States and Canada have been consolidated either into class action or multidistrict litigation lawsuits, with the United States’ multidistrict litigation suit taking place in the Southern District Court of Illinois. This will streamline the legal process and hopefully net plaintiffs a quicker settlement.
Plaintiffs are filing suit against Bayer for various reasons, but most lawsuits have one thing in common – they claim that the medication did not come with adequate warnings that outlined the true possible risks involved with taking it. Bayer failed to warn potential consumers, and even doctors, that the risks involved in this fourth-generation birth control were different and potentially more serious than those associated with other forms of hormonal birth control. As side effects of the medication continue to come to light, more and more women are likely to file suit against Bayer Pharmaceuticals in courts both in Canada and the United States. The total number is yet to be seen – Yaz and Yasmin were prescribed to about 2 million patients in the United States and Canada alone.
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