Ortho Evra Lawyers

FDA Wonders if Birth Control Methods, Such as the Pill and Patch, Are Effective

The FDA is concerned that pregnancies have increased over the past 10 years and is fearful that this could be a result of either ineffective and inferior birth control products and possibly improper use of the products. FDA advisors follow the drugs once they hit the market and study the pros and cons of such methods as it relates to birth control effectiveness. Many factors are considered other than the drug itself when looking at the effectiveness of a birth control drug. For example, factors such as weight, smoking, and other conditions could alter the drugs’ ability to stop pregnancy. This does not mean the drug is defective, but rather the drug companies need to warn certain people that the effectiveness may not apply to them if they have certain conditions.

If FDA advisors do find that certain people have a greater risk of getting pregnant while on the drug, then they will make recommendations for the drug’s label and make sure patients know whether or not they are at risk. These advisors will continually monitor drugs as they enter the market and track their successes and failures along the way. This ensures patients and consumers are kept up to date on risks associated with their chosen method of birth control.

The “pill” has been on the U.S. market since 1960, with generics dominating the sales. They cost far less than the brand name drugs, so women tend to choose these at the pharmacies. The Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical produces the name-brand Ortho-Tri-Cyclen birth control pill, as well as the Ortho Evra birth control patch, a fairly new drug that has been on the U.S. market since 2001. The patch has had its share of problems recently with potential serious side effects such as blood clots. In addition, transdermal patches in general have been questioned recently for their consistency and effectiveness. Very recently we have seen a slew of lawsuits brought against Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical regarding injuries caused by the Ortho Evra patch.

The FDA is investigating Ortho Evra (manufactured by Ortho McNeil Pharmaceuticals) and has issued warnings, but there is no recall in effect as of yet. It has been shown that the Ortho Evra birth control patch has serious risks linked to it. If you have been injured as a result of using this product, contact the Ortho Evra lawyers at Williams Kherkher today for a free initial consultation.