Research suggesting that the newer birth control formulations are more likely to cause blood clots that the older drugs has prompted the Food and Drug Administration to consider new safety measures. Yaz, Yasmin and other pills containing a synthetic hormone called drospirenone as well as the Ortho Evra patch which uses the hormone norelgestromin are the focus of the discussion. There have been approximately 10,000 lawsuits filed against Bayer arguing that any additional risk with the newer drugs should have been detected and emphasized to the public.
In October the FDA warned that women taking the pills were 74 percent more likely to suffer blood clots than women on other low-estrogen contraceptives. A former FDA commissioner has accused Bayer of hiding data on the blood clot risks associated with Yasmin and Yaz and engaging in off-label promotion to increase sales.
