Merck, the manufacturer of the NuvaRing hormonal contraceptive, is defending itself from over 1,000 plaintiffs who allege that their device is to blame for diagnoses of stroke, blood clot, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Cleared by the FDA in 2001, NuvaRing is a circular, plastic device roughly the size of a bracelet. It is designed to be inserted vaginally and remain there for three weeks at a time, preventing pregnancy as it releases hormones. Due to the fact that it is not filtered through the digestive system like oral contraceptives, the device carries exacerbated risks. Plaintiffs allege that Merck failed to adequately warn women by downplaying NuvaRing’s elevated dangers in its advertising campaigns. A finding in the British Medical Journal showed that NuvaRing users are 90 percent more likely to develop blood clots compared to users of other types of contraceptives. Women nationwide can still obtain NuvaRing by a prescription as it has not been recalled by the FDA. On a global scale, it is estimated that nearly 1.5 million women currently use the NuvaRing device.
The NuvaRing litigation draws a stark parallel to the prosecution of Yaz and Yasmin, oral contraceptives which were criticized for similar health hazards in women. More than 1,000 NuvaRing lawsuits have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL), centralized in the Eastern District of Missouri before U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel. Cases involving Yaz and Yasmin have also been consolidated, and that litigation is currently pending in the Southern District of Illinois before Chief Judge David R. Herndon.
“Associated with many of the same health risks as NuvaRing, Yaz and Yasmin have been the target of lawsuits since at least 2009,” stated Girard Gibbs partner A.J. De Bartolomeo, who was appointed by the Court to serve on the Plaintiffs Steering Committee in the Consolidated Yasmin and Yaz lawsuits (MDL No. 2100). “While this litigation is important from a public health standpoint, it also impacts the rights of women and their access to critical information regarding the risks associated with different forms of birth control.”
Ms. De Bartolomeo represents women throughout the U.S. who suffered serious health consequences after taking Yaz or Yasmin. She also represents women who experienced migration or perforation after using Mirena or NuvaRing birth control. To contact Ms. De Bartolomeo, call 1-866-981-4800 or fill out the form to the right.