A recent report out of Canada found that two of the most popular birth control pills in existence might be tied to the deaths of nearly two-dozen Canadian women. The report, from CBC News, says that 23 young women died likely due to their use of the Yaz and Yasmin birth control medications.
Tragically, the deaths occurred overwhelmingly among very young women, with half of those who died being under the age of 26. The youngest was stunningly only 14 years old. In one case, an 18-year-old girl from Nova Scotia died after taking Yaz for less than a month. Her mother said the girl suffered a massive stroke caused by a blood clot.
The reasons for the girls’ deaths were often related to the development of blood clots. Blood clot disorders, including strokes that occur when a blood clot dislodges and travels to the brain, are a potentially deadly side effect of Yaz and Yasmin. Other studies have found that an estimated three in 10,000 women taking “newer generation” birth control pills like Yaz and Yasmin, which contain the synthetic progestin drospirenone, will develop blood clots. These risks are three times greater than those who take an older generation of contraceptive pills.
Health officials in Canada say they have documented a total of 600 adverse health reactions to Yaz and Yasmin between 2007 and 2013, among them, the 23 deaths. The large number of injuries prompted Health Canada to issue a warning about the drugs, saying that the risk of developing blood clots is a serious concern for those taking newer generation birth control products.
For its part, Bayer, which manufactures the drug, says it stands by its product. The company claims that after a thorough analysis of scientific data it is clear that the birth control medications are safe and effective. This denial has not stopped injured patients from filing lawsuits nor has it prevented the company from paying upwards of $1 billion so far to settle claims. Several of the women mentioned in the Canadian report have joined a class action suit against Bayer, claiming they were not properly informed of the increased risk of blood clots that come with the birth control pills.
If you or someone you know have been injured by a defective product and you would like to discuss your case with an attorney, please contact the Georgia product liability litigation attorneys at Pope McGlamry P.C. today to schedule a free consultation.
Source: “Yaz, Yasmin birth control pills linked to 23 deaths in Canada,” by Victoria Taylor, published at NYDailyNews.com.
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