PHILADELPHIA, April 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The
following release is being issued by law firms RodaNast, P.C.;
Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman and Feldman & Pinto:
According to two new studies published in the online edition of
the British Medical Journal, Bayer’s birth control pills Yaz and
Yasmin, containing a new progestin drospirenone (DSRP), carry up to
triple the risk of serious blood clots (known as venous
thromboembolism) over traditional pills containing the progestin
levonorgestrel (LNG).
Approximately 2,000 lawsuits have been filed in Pennsylvania
before Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Sandra Mazer Moss,
Coordinating Judge of the Complex Litigation Center. Another
4,000 lawsuits are pending in federal court before the Judge David
R. Herndon, who is overseeing the federal multidistrict litigation
(MDL). The lawsuits allege that Yaz and Yasmin have risks
beyond those of traditional birth control pills and that Bayer
over-promoted the drug without disclosing the higher risks. Bayer
was warned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the fall
of 2008, that Bayer’s television advertisements were misleading and
did not disclose the additional risks.
The findings of the new studies provide additional evidence that
the older oral contraceptives “appear to be a safer choice with
regard to venous thromboembolism than preparations containing
drospirenone,” says Dr. Susan Jick of Boston University’s School of
Medicine, who led the research team.
Judge Moss appointed three Pennsylvania lawyers as Liaison
Counsel for the plaintiffs, including Michael M. Weinkowitz of
Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman, Philadelphia, Daniel N.
Gallucci of RodaNast, P.C., Lancaster, and Rosemary Pinto of
Feldman & Pinto, Philadelphia. Dianne M. Nast, RodaNast,
P.C. was appointed Pennsylvania Federal-State Liaison Counsel by
the Honorable David Herndon.
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