Two New Studies in the British Medical Journal Find That Bayer's Yaz and Yasmin Birth Control Pills Have an Increased Risk of Blood Clot

PHILADELPHIA, April 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following release is being issued by law firms RodaNast, P.C.; Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman and Feldman & Pinto:

According to two new studies published in the online edition of the British Medical Journal, Bayer's birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin, containing a new progestin drospirenone (DSRP), carry up to triple the risk of serious blood clots (known as venous thromboembolism) over traditional pills containing the progestin levonorgestrel (LNG).

Approximately 2,000 lawsuits have been filed in Pennsylvania before Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Sandra Mazer Moss, Coordinating Judge of the Complex Litigation Center.  Another 4,000 lawsuits are pending in federal court before the Judge David R. Herndon, who is overseeing the federal multidistrict litigation (MDL).  The lawsuits allege that Yaz and Yasmin have risks beyond those of traditional birth control pills and that Bayer over-promoted the drug without disclosing the higher risks. Bayer was warned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the fall of 2008, that Bayer's television advertisements were misleading and did not disclose the additional risks.

The findings of the new studies provide additional evidence that the older oral contraceptives "appear to be a safer choice with regard to venous thromboembolism than preparations containing drospirenone," says Dr. Susan Jick of Boston University's School of Medicine, who led the research team.

Judge Moss appointed three Pennsylvania lawyers as Liaison Counsel for the plaintiffs, including Michael M. Weinkowitz of Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman, Philadelphia, Daniel N. Gallucci of RodaNast, P.C., Lancaster, and Rosemary Pinto of Feldman & Pinto, Philadelphia.  Dianne M. Nast, RodaNast, P.C. was appointed Pennsylvania Federal-State Liaison Counsel by the Honorable David Herndon.

SOURCE RodaNast, P.C.; Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman; Feldman & Pinto