A trial that was once set to take place on January 9, has now been delayed and subjected to immediate mediation. Subsequently, one of the most prominent companies in the pharmaceutical industry avoided going to trial over significant complications regarding their products after a U.S. District Judge postponed the impending trial. Bayer AG, who was preparing to face claims that its Yasmin family of contraceptives caused severe blood clots, is now exploring the possibility of potential settlements.
Bayer’s family of fourth generation contraceptives all contain the active ingredient drospirenone, a progestin that prevents ovulation. Yasmin demonstrates a propensity to initiate changes in cervical and uterine linings that make it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. Their subsequent success has generated a total of $1.58 billion in sales for the Germany-based company, making them second to only Betaseron.
Unfortunately, women who take contraceptives that contain drospirenone may be unaware of the potentially fatal side effects associated with them. Women who take fourth generation contraceptives may significantly increase their risk of developing a severe, life-threatening blood clot.
Current labeling practices by Bayer acknowledge an increased risk of blood clots. However, their labels suggest that newer oral contraceptives have similar risks of blood clots to those of older birth control pills that combine estrogens and progestins. Accordingly, experts believe that evidence indicated on current labels is conflicting and deceiving.
Research has indicated that drospirenone may significantly increase the risk of severe, life-threatening blood clots. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) analysis reported that about 10 in 10,000 women taking pills with drospirenone will experience a blood clot or venous thromboembolism in a year, compared with 6 in 10,000 women using other hormonal contraceptives. The FDA analysis revealed a 74 percent increase in the risk of blood clots by those taking drospirenone-containing contraceptives.
The ambiguous nature of such blood clots has generated an influx of lawsuits against Bayer. Each of which were consolidated before David Herndon, a U.S. District Judge, in East St. Louis, Illinois, for pretrial information exchanges. Just three days before the trial was set to begin, Herndon ordered Bayer and lawyers for women suing the company to meet with mediator Stephen Saltzburg to explore the possibility of “settlements in this litigation.”
While no official schedule has been implemented to regulate mediation talks, Herndon acknowledged that he was prepared to reset Yasmin cases for trial if no settlements could be reached between both sides.
Do I Have a Yasmin Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Yasmin lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Yasmin, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free case review, please click the link below or call toll free 24 hrs/day 1-(949) 557-5800.