Product Liability Attorney Blog

Believe it or not, Yasmin has been around since the year 2000. Compared to many other medications, 10 years is a blink. Acetominophen has been with us since the late 1800s in one form or another, and “the pill” as a concept dates to the early 1960s — nearly 50 years at this point. However, even though 10 years is relatively short, it still is long enough for us to consider the scope of Yasmin's unusual history as a medication.

Developed in 2000, it was approved approximately a year later by the FDA. Yasmin claimed to be able to prevent pregnancy while also reducing weight and reducing the discomfort of menstruation. Further studies in 2002 showed that these claims were accurate, as well as demonstrating that the medicine could also help reduce the presence of acne in young ladies. In short, the stage was set for a targeted marketing campaign.

The story, however, begins to get more muddled between 2003 and 2005. By 2003, five Dutch women otherwise in good health had died and were confirmed to be on Yasmin. Bayer dismissed the story as it only involved five people, which admittedly is not a statistically-significant sample. However, Bayer's own study of the matter raised conflict of interest questions given that they were preparing to acquire the original manufacturers of the birth control drug.

From there the matter becomes a tale of warring accounts. A 27-year-old woman, otherwise in good health and active in her Broadway career, had a stroke while on Yaz. The FDA has cited Yaz packaging for being misleading, and studies have contested everything from the stated risk of stroke and pulmonary conditions to the strange claim that these contraceptives can help prevent or even combat the development of female related cancers.

So, in only 10 years, Yasmin and its derivative Yaz have developed complicated and contentious histories more common to older, more established medicines. As the age of the web continues, more people have access to information and common details can be shared sooner. While it is tragic to see peoples' lives potentially ruined by medicines meant to help them, it is encouraging that the story has come to light faster rather than slower.

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