Concerns Mount Over FDA Yaz Panel Conflict of Interest Reports

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, California, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 21, 2012 -- Los Angeles, CA, January 20, 2012 – In December 2011, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration Advisory Panel met to discuss the safety of Yaz and other contraceptives containing the hormone drospirenone. The panel was convened after concerns were raised over the potential link between Yaz and an increased risk of blood clots in women who take the drug.

The panel eventually voted 15-11 to allow the continued sale of Yaz, Yasmin and similar oral contraceptives, claiming that the benefits of the drugs outweighed the potential risks. Now, consumer advocacy groups and others are calling for a new hearing after a British Medical Journal investigation revealed that several members of the panel had ties to Bayer AG, the maker of Yaz.

On January 11, 2012 the Project on Government Oversight drafted a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, calling for new hearings on the safety of Yaz. The letter cited a conflict of interest on the part of four panel members, who allegedly had financial ties to Bayer. The letter specifically identified one such panelist, Dr. Paula Hillard of the Stanford University School of Medicine, as a paid consultant for Bayer and a “Yasmin advocate”.

The potential conflict of interest on the part of the four panelists is of particular concern since Bayer is currently facing numerous lawsuits filed by women who say that Yaz caused serious injuries, including blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Attorneys for the plaintiffs also allege that Yaz caused approximately 50 deaths and that Bayer knew of the risks associated with the drug but did not take adequate steps to warn consumers.

The first case in the Yaz litigation was scheduled to go to trial earlier this month but U.S. District Judge David Herndon ordered both parties to mediation instead. It is unclear how the current controversy surrounding the FDA advisory panel will affect the outcome of the pending litigation.

If you or a loved one experienced a stroke, blood clot or other complication after taking Yaz, you can complete a MedWatch form by visiting the Food and Drug Administration’s website. It is also recommended that you contact an experienced Yaz birth control injury attorney to discuss your rights.

Nadrich & Cohen LLP offers confidential, no-cost consultations to Yaz users who believe they were harmed by the drug. Help is available by calling the firm’s injury hotline at 1-800-722-0765 or by completing an online case evaluation form at www.yazbirthcontrolinjury.com.

Nadrich & Cohen LLP is a national law firm with offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and other cities throughout California. The firm specializes in handling mass tort actions and representing individuals in cases involving pharmaceutical companies, medical device makers and other product manufacturers. The firm is committed to achieving the best outcome possible in every case and has recovered over $200 million in settlements on behalf of its clients.

In addition to handling Yaz birth control injury claims, Nadrich & Cohen, LLP investigates cases involving Accutane, Avandia, DePuy Hip Implants, Zimmer Hips, Wright Conserve Hips, Vaginal Mesh, Pradaxa, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Reflex Sympathy Dystrophy, Fen Phen and PPH, Depakote and Reglan.

The time you have to file an injury claim is limited, so it’s important to act as quickly as possible to protect your rights. Call 1-800-722-0765 today to speak with a qualified personal injury expert or visit www.personalinjurylawcal.com.

###

Nadrich & Cohen LLP is a national law firm specializing in representing individuals who have been injured by defective medical devices, harmful prescription drugs, faulty products, car accidents, motorcycle accidents and dog bites.

Contact:

Jennifer Poole
National Client Intake Coordinator
Nadrich & Cohen LLP
12100 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1250
Los Angeles, CA 90025
800-718-4658
info@personalinjurylawcal.com
www.personalinjurylawcal.com

yaz     Yaz Attorney     yaz birth control lawyer     yaz blood clot     Yaz Lawsuit     Yaz Lawyer     yaz litigation     Yaz Side Effects