The Context Machine

Mass tort status is being considered in the lawsuits that have been filed against the makers of the birth control tablets Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella. This is largely because of the increasing number of suits being filed across the country where victims claim stroke and other serious health problems caused by taking Yasmin or Ocella. Yaz side effects extend from ischemic stroke or heart attack, to pulmonary embolism and other blood clot related injuries.

Among the recent tilts impending on Yasmin, Yaz and Ocella birth control, the contraceptives also contain drospirenone, an ingredient not in other oral contraceptives. The British Medical Journal published studies in August 2009 diplaying an increased risk of venous blood clots in young women taking drospirenone as opposed to those who received other oral contraceptives. In that same month, the Food & Drug Administration issued an non-related advisory to Bayer Pharmaceuticals, makers of Yasmin, for using low-quality batches of drospirenone from a plant in Germany. For the benefit of public interest and well-being, these studies have been made available free on the internet.

It is essential that women became their own advocates and take charge of the decisions being made about their health and their bodies. As a whole, the American public relies too heavily on doctors and pharmaceuticals to give them answers in a bottle. In the internet age, it is up to you to do your own inquiry and become knowledgeable. Drug recalls and corporate lawsuits have become all too commonplace in the U.S.. At some point, the masses have to stop looking to the government and big business to have their wellbeing in mind. It is time for the public to finally take the first step and not be so quick to swallow anything passed to them in pill form.