Woman blames 'Yaz' for medical problems

An Orleans Parish woman is suing Bayer Corp. after being diagnosed with a multiple pulmonary emboli she believes was caused by birth control pills.

Arguing the corporations failed to warn of the risks, Heather Gillespie filed suit against Bayer Corp., Bayer Healthcare, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp., Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals, Berlex, Berlex Laboratories, Bayer Schering Pharma AG and Bayer Healthcare AG June 8 in federal court in New Orleans.

Gillespie says she was prescribed and took YAZ/Yasmin daily from October 2008 through at least July 2009 and has suffered multiple pulmonary emboli among other adverse reactions.

Gillespie accuses Bayer of ignoring the correlation between the use of the drugs and the increased risk of permanent and debilitating side effects.

"Defendants have been issued warnings by the FDA at least three times - in 2003, 2008 and 2009 - for misleading the public through the use of ads which overstate the efficacy of YAZ/Yasmin and minimize serious risks associated with the drug," the lawsuit reads.

The plaintiff says Bayer is liable under the Louisiana Products Liability Act.

Gillespie is seeking damages for medical expense, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical disfigurement, physical impairment, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, interest and court costs.

New Orleans attorneys Allan Berger and Andrew J. Geiger of Allan Berger & Associates are representing Gillespie.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10cv01676