Group Suing Drug Companies on Pill

Thursday, May 4th 2006

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New Zealand women who suffered side-effects from taking oral contraceptive pills intend suing drug companies and their prescribers and want the families of the nine women who died to join them.

Auckland women Julie Dowden (40) is setting up a support group for New Zealand women affected by blood clots associated with taking the third generation oral contraceptives Marvelon, Mercilon, Minulet and Femodene.

Already 12 women have contacted her and the legal action will be planned at their first meeting in the next few weeks.

"They have terrible stories. A 33-year-old with a young family had a stroke and has absolutely no support. It makes me want to cry."

In Britain 170 women have been granted legal aid to take a class action against drug companies. There where 104 deaths and 2408 cases of side-effects have been linked to the pill.

Dowden nearly died after developing a blood clot in her leg last August. Despite seeking medical treatment for the pain, swelling and shortness of breath, she was seriously ill by the time she was taken to hospital.

Blood clots were found on both lungs and her legs, and she spent nine days in hospital, including a night in intensive care.

She was prescribed Marvelon in January, 1998, but said her gynaecologist should never have given her that brand.

"I wasn't asked about previous history or risks. I was overweight and my mother had a clot in her lung in her 40s. If I'd been asked about those sorts of things I would have told her.

"And after I had my last child I had a vein in my leg play up just after the birth and she put me on medication for six months to ensure my blood didn't clot. All that was in her notes, so to my mind she was negligent and is liable."

Dowden still suffers the consequences. She has a swollen ankle, scar tissue in her lungs, meaning she can become short of breath by walking up stairs, and a stress-related rash on her face.

She said women who suffered deserved compensation and payment of ongoing medical costs.

"There is absolutely no support for us. The drug companies, prescribers and the Ministry of Health are liable and we believe someone should pay.

"We've got ongoing costs to specialists and doctors. I've got to wear a MedicAlert bracelet which costs $120 and no one will pay for, and if I want to fly further than Australia I've got to inject myself with Hepron to prevent clotting which costs $300 a time."

The women will consider applying for legal aid to take their case to court.

Official Information Act papers revealed eight of the nine women who died should not have been prescribed the pill because they had risk factors.

However, Dr Simon Twigden the medical services manager at Pharmaco which distributes Marvelon and Mercilon said drug companies were not liable.

"We'd be concerned about legal action, but our position is there is a small risk of blood clots associated with oral contraceptives and that warning is contained in our data sheets which go out with the prescriptions."

Twidgen believed any legal action would need to be considered on a case by case basis.

"The increased risk of blood clots is well documented, so the issue then is whether women knew that risk or were given appropriate advice. I don't think they'd have a legal case against us."

The Wyeth (Minulet) and Schering (Femodene) companies did not respond to calls from the Sunday Star Times.

In New Zealand, about 150,000 women take third generation pills. The nine deaths here occurred since 1993.

Source, New Zealand Herald, Saturday 19 June,1999

Footnote from Ideal Health

The following products are all useful for blood clots:

AlphaProtect
Bromelain
Cayenne Garlic
Fish Oil 1500mg Odourless
Garlicin HC
Kelp
Kyolic Garlic High Potency
Liquid Vitamin E
Maybe Baby Fertility Tester
NattoZyme
Reflux-free Salmon Oil

Related health information can be found here:

Antioxidants
Arteriosclerosis
Blood Clots
Feeling fatigued & dizzy with poor memory? You could be low in iron
Heart Problems
Hormonal Changes
Immunity
Infertility
Neuromuscular system and nutritional support
Skin Health
The Good Health Diet

Related articles can be found here:

Antidepressant, Narcotic Use Tied to Increased Fracture Risk in Older Women

Current Combined HRT Use Doubles Risk of Breast Cancer

Evidence Accumulates That HRT Benefits Overwhelmed by Risks

Medical Slips Highlighted

Stroke Risk Increased in Hypertensive Women Using HRT

Women Unaware of Viral Link to Cervical Cancer

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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