Ortho Evra recall urged by consumer group
Today the FDA received a petition filed by Public Citizen Health Research Group asking that the agency issue an Ortho Evra recall. The consumer advocacy group asked the FDA to remove the birth control patch from the market due to the risk of serious and potentially fatal injury associated with its use.
>>INFORMATION: Ortho Evra Side Effects
Ortho Evra is a form of birth control which is delivered by a patch placed on the skin. After it was introduced by Johnson & Johnson in 2002, Ortho Evra became a popular alternative to daily birth control pills. However, studies have found that the patch delivers high levels of estrogen which can vary greatly from one women to the next. As a result, it greatly increases the risk of dangerous blood clots, which could cause a heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis or death.
Public Citizen filed the petition on behalf of 80,000 consumers, urging the FDA to issue an Ortho Evra recall within the next six months. They pointed out that when compared to the birth control pill, Ortho Evra results greater variations of estrogen entering the blood stream and on average it delivers 60% more estrogen than the pill. This could lead to twice the risk of serious blood clots, typically in the legs which can travel to the lungs and cause death.
Over the past few years, Johnson & Johnson has seen a substantial drop in sales for their birth control patch, mainly due to concerns about the Ortho Evra side effects. Nearly 10 million prescriptions were written in 2004, compared with about 2.7 million last year. However, despite the known dangers, Johnson & Johnson continues to market the drug as a more convenient alternative to daily birth control pills, and it remains one of the top 200 brand-name medications in the United States..
ORTHO EVRA RECALL: LAWSUITS ARE BEING REVIEWED NATIONWIDE
The Ortho Evra lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. have been representing young women who suffered severe and potentially fatal injuries after using the birth control patch since 2005. Potential Ortho Evra lawsuits are being reviewed on behalf of women who suffered a heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or sudden death while using the birth control patch.
If you, a friend or family member have experienced problems ass a result of Ortho Evra, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
