Lawyersandsettlements.com; April 8, 2013
Washington, DC: While Beyaz manufacturer Bayer A.G. continues to stand behind its drospire
none-based oral contraceptive as safe and effective, Beyaz side effects are nonetheless articulated in both Beyaz advertising and corporate reporting.
On the corporate side, pharmaceutical blogger Tom Lamb posting to DrugInjuryWatch.com noted while there is a single reference to Beyaz in Bayer’s 2012 Annual Report, close examination of Bayer’s Form 10-K filing with the US Securities & Exchange Commission suggests the pharmaceutical giant is counting Beyaz lawsuits among those lawsuits filed or pending with regard to its line of drospirenone-based oral contraceptives.
Drospirenone is a synthetic hormone that is thought to carry greater benefits to the patient. Along with those benefits, say critics, are increased risks for Beyaz blood clots.
In its Annual Report released February 12, Bayer included pending lawsuits in a section related to product-related litigation - and while specifically referencing Yasmin and Yaz, Beyaz shares its drospirenone heritage with the Yasmin/Yaz combo, and thus it is widely held that risks are similar.
“Claimants allege that they have suffered personal injuries, some of them fatal, from the use of Bayer’s drospirenone-containing oral contraceptive products…” the report suggests. “Claimants seek compensatory and punitive damages, claiming, in particular, that Bayer knew, or should have known, of the alleged risks and should be held liable for having failed to disclose them or adequately warn users.”
In Beyaz advertising, the risks for Beyaz drospirenone are referenced. However, as is the case with the current crop of modern television advertising of pharmaceuticals (which make up a large segment of ads for the network nightly news programs), the risks - while duly noted - are buried in a sea of feel-good images and cheery music that carries forward and extends the emotional warmth rooted in the benefits section of the commercial.
The benefits of Beyaz birth control always come first.
To read the complete article, please visit lawyersandsettlements.com.
