Ads Misled Consumers About Serious Side Effects of Drugs

In October 2008, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) sent a warning letter to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Bayer) regarding the company’s YAZ birth control. The letter states that several of Bayer’s advertisements involving YAZ were misleading because they “broaden the drug’s indication, overstate the efficacy of YAZ, and minimize serious risks associated with use of the drug." Because of this, the HHS found Bayer to be in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in conjunction with Bayer’s misbranding of YAZ.

The understated side effects of YAZ include the possibility of:

• Stroke
• Blood Clots
• Heart Attack
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Gallbladder Disease
• Hypertension
• Other Ailments

Berlex Laboratories originally introduced Yasmin birth control to the market in 2001. When Bayer bought Berlex in 2006, the drug became known as YAZ, and Bayer began to advertise and market the oral contraceptive on a large scale. By 2007, YAZ had achieved more than $600 million dollars in sales. This success can most likely be attributed to Bayer’s successful marketing and advertising campaigns for the birth control.

When Bayer downplayed the potentially serious side effects of YAZ in its advertisements, the company not only violated a Federal regulation, Bayer also endangered the lives of countless women. This is especially true for women who have preconditions such as high blood pressure, kidney disease or dysfunction, or diabetes. However, young, healthy women have also been affected by stroke, heart attack, blood clots, and other conditions from using YAZ.

There is evidence to support these and other serious health problems result from drospirenone, a progestin found in YAZ. According to the HHS’s warning letter, drospirenone has properties "which may result in potentially serious heart and health problems."

If your health has been affected because of taking YAZ birth control, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim. Because of the misleading nature of Bayer’s advertisements involving YAZ, those who became ill or the loved ones of those who died from taking YAZ may be entitled to receive damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Please contact a Personal Injury attorney with experience in the field of pharmaceutical claims immediately.