DEVELOPING STORY

Contraceptive Patch Users At Serious Risk
By Laura Dawn Lewis, Couples Company

Los Angeles, November 11, 2005: KCBS Channel 2 in Los Angeles on November 10th (11PM broadcast) reported that Ortho McNeil, the maker of the popular Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch currently used to prevent pregnancy by 4-million women issued an advisory that all women on the patch should consult with their physicians as soon as possible. During the broadcasts, this suggestion was repeated three times, the final stating "tomorrow".   Newscasters rarely relay this sense of urgency in a story. 

This writer believes the repetitive nature of the urging and the insistence of it by the LA CBS affiliate indicates this story contains more information, critical information, soon to be revealed.  Why this story is being released piece-meal, on a holiday weekend (Friday -Sunday is Veterans Day Weekend in the US.  All Government agencies are closed Friday the 11th so we were unable to follow up with the FDA once the story broke.  No surprise, we went into voice mail with the MFG.).  Why the information was not distributed until after the Thursday 5 & 6PM newscasts so it only made the late evening news, raises additional suspicions.  As a former marketing expert, this writer's experience shows such timing to be effective when legally the word "must get out" but from a PR angle, the word should get out as slow as possible. In marketing releasing stories at specific times when bad news is considered a delaying tactic or damage control policy. Bury the story and hope most people do not see it.

As of this writing, the manufacturer has yet to post this information on its website. This fact is also suspicious.  News organizations are notified but the company does not post its press release?  Why?  Posting releases is standard protocol once they are issued. Most journalist like to authenticate the release.  This is one way of doing it.

KCBS Channel 2 reports the warning is issued due to the increased danger of blood clots, a common cause of stroke. Additional reports link the Ortho Evra patch to fatal heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms and other serious medical problems. The risk of blood clots is three hundred percent higher with the birth control patch than the pill. Several dozen deaths are suspected linked to the patch's use. Five women below the age of twenty-five on Ortho-Evra have died from blood clot complications.  The drug has been in use for less than three years.

During clinical trials prior to the patch's release, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and patch-maker Ortho McNeil observed indications of potential problems with the patch. Both the government and manufacturer maintained, despite these irregularities including a 300% rise in blood clots, that the patch is as safe as the pill.  With new information pointing to pre-pregnancy problems and death in its users, the question of effect on developing fetuses from mothers who used the patch prior to pregnancy has yet to be asked and answered.

On July 16, 2005 the Associated Press Reported, "About a dozen women, most in their late teens and early 20s, died last year from blood clots believed to be related to the birth-control patch Ortho Evra."

The Associated Press story warns of what now appears to be a serious threat. Due to the urgency pronounced in the CBS report, it is likely additional information is about to be revealed. Women on the patch are urged to consult their physicians immediately Several class action lawsuits are in progress against the manufacture.

Information on Lawsuits:

Manufacturer's site: