Evra Birth Control Patch Class Action Lawsuit Settled in Canada
A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit involving the Canadian version of the Ortho Evra birth control patch, resolving claims brought by women in Canada who allege that they were not properly warned about the risk of blood clots, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, heart attacks and strokes.
The birth control patch class action suit was filed against Janssen-Ortho, Inc., which distributes the Evra skin patch in Canada. In the United States, the birth control patch is sold under the brand name Ortho Evra by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, another division of Johnson & Johnson.
Studies involving Ortho Evra have established that the birth control patch delivers about 60% more estrogen than the birth control pill on average. It has been found that this increases the risk of developing potentially fatal blood clots, causing many otherwise healthy young women to suffer heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.
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Learn MoreIn a statement released through Health Canada in November 2006, Janssen-Ortho indicated the results of studies in the U.S., but noted that the Canadian version of the birth control patch is manufactured differently and contains less estrogen than Ortho-Evra.
According to Bloomberg News, a confidential settlement was reached on Friday to resolve at least 22 individual claims brought by users in Canada. The drug company has also agreed to settle other valid cases brought by users of Evra birth control.
In the United States, it was reported that Johnson & Johnson paid at least $68.7 million to settle Ortho Evra lawsuits as of October 2008. Since that time, they have continued to reach confidential settlements for hundreds of other cases to keep individual lawsuits from going to trial. In addition, thousands of birth control patch lawsuits are still pending in various federal and state courts throughout the U.S.
Although the Ortho Evra warning label has been updated several times regarding the risk of blood clots, consumers and public interest groups have continued to argue that the warnings are inadequate. The manufacturer has been urged to place the risk information in a “black box” on the label, which would be the strongest warning that can be placed on a prescription medication.
In May 2008, the national consumer advocacy group Public Citizen filed a petition with the FDA on behalf of more than 80,000 individuals calling for an Ortho Evra recall due to the unreasonable risk of blood clots and the minimal benefits over other available forms of birth control.
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8 Comments
MichelleAugust 22, 2017 at 10:09 pm
I used the birth control patch for 2 months before it caused a stroke. I also had a seizure after the stroke and had massive blood clotting. I would like information on a lawyer in Canada that can discuss this with me and the pharmaceutical company.
JamieMarch 9, 2016 at 4:50 pm
My wife had a massive stroke blood clot to the brain.i need help to find a lawyer that can help.i live in canada we have 3 young kids
jamieSeptember 3, 2012 at 2:27 pm
can anybody help me find a lawyer deals with birth control patch.my wife had a blood clot in the brain while using the birth control patch and i cant find a lawyer that deals with it i am from canada thanks
jamieMay 7, 2012 at 2:01 pm
my wife had a massive stroke while using patch. we have 3 kids i had to quit work to take care of them as she is unable to
MarleneDecember 19, 2010 at 2:00 am
On Oct 23, 2009 my 29 year old daughter passed away as a result of a pulmonary embolism. Her death was cause by using the Evro birth control patch.
MarleneMay 4, 2010 at 4:29 pm
My daughter was an active, healthy 29 year old. She used the birth control patch for a year. On October 23, 2009 she died, suddenly. We had no warning that her blood was clotting. According to the Medical Examiner who performed her autopsy, the blood clots were caused by the birtth control patch.
SophiaMarch 23, 2010 at 2:37 am
I am (or was considered to be) a very active, healthy 38 year old female with three children. Several years ago, I was on the patch for some time (I am not sure of the time span) but stopped due to hearing negative feedback on it and also that a person known to the family died of a blood clot which formed in her leg. I do not have a family line of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or an[Show More]I am (or was considered to be) a very active, healthy 38 year old female with three children. Several years ago, I was on the patch for some time (I am not sure of the time span) but stopped due to hearing negative feedback on it and also that a person known to the family died of a blood clot which formed in her leg. I do not have a family line of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or any other factors that may led to heart problems. However, a week after giving birth to a healthy baby girl, I suffered a massive heart attack, was dead for officially 5o minutes,and was blessed enough to later have triple bypass surgery. The doctors up to this point are still confused on what led to this serious health issue. I am still in awe that I even had a heart attack. People that know my life style and the way that I live do not believe that I even went through this. I can not place my finger on it. I am still confused.
DianneMarch 17, 2009 at 3:15 am
I was hospitalized very shortly after I started using the birth control patch and lost about 60% of my blood and had to recieve a blood transfusion . I almost lost my job and havent worked since . My doctor didn't let me know of any side affects and assured me the patch would be fine . They also didnt test me at all to see if the patch would be good for me and I am still recovering from it , Is th[Show More]I was hospitalized very shortly after I started using the birth control patch and lost about 60% of my blood and had to recieve a blood transfusion . I almost lost my job and havent worked since . My doctor didn't let me know of any side affects and assured me the patch would be fine . They also didnt test me at all to see if the patch would be good for me and I am still recovering from it , Is there anything I can do to make sure this doesnt happen again ?