We have previously posted about some of the dangers of the Yaz birth control pill. Even more information has come out since. Yaz has recently been under heavy scrutiny for possible dangerous side effects such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Additionally, the FDA and many states’ attorney general have been on Yaz’ case for a different problem: misleading advertising.

The first time Yaz was admonished for misleading the public was through an FDA warning letter in 2003. The letter was in regards to misleading ads that stated that Yaz was “unique” because it contained progestin drospirenone, therefore leading people to believe that Yaz was superior to other birth control pills. Then in 2008, the FDA sent another warning letter concerning two separate television commercials that publicized treatments for which Yaz was not approved. In February of 2009, attorney generals from 27 different states reached a settlement with Yaz to correct misleading information that Yaz put in tv ads that suggested that Yaz was approved for the treatment of PMS and acne. As a result, Yaz is now required to get FDA approval for all ads before they can air on tv.

Yaz was first released in May 2001 and has since become one of the best selling oral contraceptives, with sales over $616 million in 2008. Neither the FDA nor the manufacturer, Bayer, have yet to recall the drug for its serious side effects. Many of the people that take Yaz may have been induced to take it through Yaz’s misleading advertising, and in turn, suffering serious side effects.

For more information, see:
The FDA’s warning letter concerning Yaz:
http://origin.www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/EnforcementActivitiesbyFDA/WarningLettersandNoticeofViolationLetterstoPharmaceuticalCompanies/ucm053993.pdf

Wall Street Journal article concerning new ad campaign:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/business/11pill.html

Labels: advertising, Air France, birth control, DVT, FDA, NCAA, stroke, Susan Boyle, YAZ