Dangerous pills: Damaged women sue Bayer
One of the best-selling birth control pills falls into disrepute world: those Yasmin' series from Bayer.
Been 18 deaths in Germany
Feel-good factor, beauty effect, and on top of that a figure bonus, these buzzwords applying the pharmaceutical company Bayer, for example, in the United States of its pills' Yasmin' series. Lifestyle promises that resonate with women - and also sell well. 1.07 billion euros continued the Leverkusen-based company worldwide in 2011 with the drospirenone-containing contraceptive pills 'Yasmin', 'YAZ' and 'Yasmin Elle' to. Aspirin did in the same period, with 440 million, less than half a. But the seller is increasingly the problem: In the U.S., Bayer has launched the first wave of lawsuits with damages behind. Also in Germany already two women have sued for damages for pain and suffering, now just adds France. The concerns are the same everywhere: to respond with the use of contraceptives increased risk of developing a dangerous blood clot (thrombosis), and possibly to die.
That certain birth control pills dangerous side effects - such as thrombosis and blood vessel occlusion in the legs or lungs (embolism) - can bring with it is, has long been known. But studies show that the risk of thrombosis with the new pills the third (with the active ingredients gestodene and desogestrel) and fourth generation has significantly increased (with the active ingredient drospirenone) compared to the previously developed artificial hormones of the second generation (estrogen plus levonorgestrel). This is also evident from a publication of independent scientists from the year 2009.
The original benefit - the pregnancy prevention - whether second, third or fourth generation, with all the same pills. However, the new drugs to counteract hormonal side effects such as increased acne formation, weight gain and excessive body hair. For these positive side effects, women pay a high price - which may even cost you your life. Currently speaking, the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) of 18 deaths in Germany in connection with the active ingredient drospirenone - since its introduction in 2000. Drospirenone-containing pills in Germany are: 'Yasmin', 'Elle Yasmin' Yaz '(all products of Bayer AG),' Aida 'and' Petibelle '(both products of Jena Pharm GmbH, a subsidiary of Bayer AG).
In general, the risk is for healthy women of developing a blood clot, very low, so the BfArM. But 2011 has (EMA) arranged for a re-examination of the pills' Yasmin' series that Bayer must tighten its warnings on the package inserts the European Medicines Agency. "For years, stood there, risk of thrombosis unknown," says Susan Tabbach. The 33-year-old knows exactly how it feels to be dismissed as an individual case and quota victims. 2009 Tabbach was admitted with severe respiratory problems in the emergency department of the University Hospital Aachen, she says. Stabbing pains in the chest, which did not fit the clinical picture of a sporty young woman. It was only at the insistence of his father led the doctors a CT scan at the then 29-year-olds. Then the shock diagnosis: pulmonary embolism, a slight pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmias.
Susan had previously Tabbach 'Yasmin Elle' taken over two years, her gynecologist had recommended her. One and a half years took the young woman to the hospital stay to get back on their feet. Your job as an architect she could pursue initially only two hours a day. "My immune system was weakened, I felt like an old woman." The doctors stamped from a single case.
But Tabbach researched and found three other women whose sufferings pointed out many parallels. Together with Felicitas Rohrer, Kathrin Greiner weigela and Nana she called the 'self-help group drospirenone injured' (SDG) to life. On its website 'risk-pille.de' warns against SDG pills with increased risk of thrombosis. "We call for a ban on sales of pills with a higher risk and an end to the lifestyle marketing of these products," says Tabbach 'RTLaktuell.de'. SDG Two women fight with a lawyer that Bayer also in this country takes responsibility and pays compensation payments to victims of German drospirenone. On demand of 'RTLaktuell.de' whether currently for damages against Bayer AG in Germany is due to drospirenone-containing oral contraceptives or even whether financial compensation for women are scheduled, the pharmaceutical giant did not comment.
What are the alternatives to the pill?
Hormonal contraceptive methods
For whom the method is suitable for prevention?
Natural methods of contraception
Bayer pays $ 750 million to U.S. applicants
In the U.S., Bayer is already longer sees a wave of lawsuits faced by women who make their serious health damage the products 'Yasmin' and 'Yaz' responsible. "On October 15, 2012 approximately 12,400 claims were pending in the United States and served upon Bayer. Outside the U.S. were served upon Bayer 13 class actions in Canada," said the head of Bayer HealthCare Communications, Helmut Schäfer. End of October, the company announced that it was possible to agree on a settlement without admission of liability, with a total of 3,490 applicants and have it paid $ 750 million.
In December 2011, the FDA had instructed (U.S. Agency for Drug and Food Monitoring) Bayer to strengthen warnings in the package inserts. In all the pills, which contain drospirenone, Bayer now has to point out that it might increase the risk for thrombosis. From a report to the FDA from April 2012 shows that, according to some epidemiological studies, the risk of thrombosis drospirenone drugs is three times greater than in comparison to products containing levonorgestrel.
According to FDA generally climb the risk of venous thromboembolism associated with combined pills (consisting of two different hormones) with the age of the woman, and was all the greater when she smokes. The largest is the danger of such a disease in the first year of application.
Meanwhile, the debate about the dangers of newer birth control pills have also called the French drug regulatory ANSM (Agency for Safety of medicines and health products) on the plan. The ANSM has launched a review of the prescribing practices of physicians on the road a few days ago. She wants to investigate whether doctors often prescribe the pills might be the third and fourth generation that pose higher risks.
The debate has flared up again in France, because a young woman had drug supervision and Bayer sued for serious health problems after taking the pill 'Meliane'. Even with this preparation, it is a third-generation contraceptive pill (drug gestodene). Bayer aims to investigate the allegations: "We are any allegations - when it becomes available to us - check and then decide on our next steps," said the Leverkusen-based
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