Lawsuits filed against Bayer Healthcare over its birth control products, Yaz and Yasmin, allege that the global pharmaceutical mega-giant was more concerned with market share than it was about consumer safety. Both oral contraceptives have been linked to heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, gallbladder disease, hyperkalemia, reports of sudden death and more.
Lack of concern for consumer safety
Approximately 75 product liability lawsuits have been filed against German based Bayer Healthcare over its Yasmin and Yaz birth control pills. Although the two drugs are often confused, the differences between Yaz and Yasmin are negligible. Both drugs contain drospirenone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen), but Yasmin contains a higher dose of estrogen than Yaz. However, it's the drosperinone that's the issue – and both drugs contain the same amount.
Yaz and Yasmin attorneys say that studies done prior to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of the drugs indicate that drosperinone causes an increase in blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, liver damage, depression or emotional changes, migraines, breast lumps, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and hyperkalemia – a condition which occurs when there is too much potassium in the blood.
So far, approximately 50 deaths have been attributed to Yaz / Yasmin use. Consumer advocate groups say Bayer should have warned consumers about the risks of the drugs instead of focusing on market share.
Focus on market share
Bayer spent millions of dollars on advertising and marketing Yaz and Yasmin and made misleading statements about the drugs – a practice which caught the attention of the FDA – who told Bayer to stop its misleading Yaz and Yasmin marketing and advertising campaigns. The drug manufacturer has spent $20 million to change the ads claiming that the drugs treat PMS (premenstrual syndrome) – which they don't.
Bayer certainly isn't the only drug company to spend billions of dollars on slick advertising – as anyone who watches television can attest to. In fact, it is estimated that drug companies now spend over $5 billion on television ad campaigns alone – nearly triple what they spent ten years ago. Why? Because it works. Yaz and Yasmin have become two of the best selling oral contraceptives on the market. But at what cost to consumers?
If you've been injured due to Yaz or Yasmin, contact an experienced Yaz / Yasmin lawyer to discuss your situation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.