MDL Petition Filed for Yaz/Yasmin Consolidation

Many lawsuits have been filed across the country against drug giant Bayer over the popular oral contraceptives Yasmin and Yaz. Some suspect the drugs could actually be recalled, especially due to recent media attention over the serious and fatal risks associated with taking these drugs which include stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder problems, and kidney problems. In comparison to older medications that have been on the market for decades, Yasmin is unique because it is a combination progesterone and estrogen pill containing the synthetic progestin drospirenone. Drospirenone is a fourth generation synthetic progestin that is not used in other oral contraceptives and it can potentially cause hyperkalemia in high-risk patients.

On July 24, 2009, a petition was filed before the United States Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation to consolidate lawsuits against Bayer over Yaz and Yasmin into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). The job of the MDL Panel is to determine whether lawsuits pending in different federal court districts involve one or more common questions of fact such that the actions should be transferred to one federal district for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings.  A hearing scheduled for September 24, 2009, to determine whether or not the cases will be consolidated. To date, Yasmin and Yaz remain on the market and Bayer stands by the safety of the drugs.

Click here to read more about litigation involving Yasmin