birth control

Group wants Ortho patch withdrawn

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:59:54 -0400

We've all heard the safety warnings about the Ortho-Evra birth control patch and its link to life-threatening blood clots. The FDA has updated the Johnson & Johnson drug's labeling three times to notify about the risks, including once early this year. And demand for the patch has dropped to 2.7 million prescriptions in 2007 from 9.9 million in 2004. But Public Citizen isn't satisfied. It wants the patch taken off the market completely.

In a petition to the FDA, the consumer advocacy group argued that the patch doesn't offer better contraception to outweigh the extra risk of blood clots. And it alleges that plaintiff's lawsuits have uncovered two unpublished studies by J&J researchers, who found higher estrogen exposure from the patch even before it won agency approval in 2001.

Johnson & Johnson defended its product, saying it's safe and effective when used according to its labeling. The agency had no comment because it hadn't yet reviewed the petition.

- read the New York Times article

SPOTLIGHT: Wyeth sues Watson to quash generic

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:59:52 -0400

It's Watson Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth in the ring, as Watson filed for FDA approval to sell a generic version of Lybrel, a birth control pill, and Wyeth responded by suing for patent infringement. Report, Report

Yasmin sales spur earnings at Bayer

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 06:59:55 -0400

A 30 percent hike in earnings isn't too shabby: just ask Bayer. The company reported a rise in profits to $1.65 billion, and it expects margins of more than 20 percent for the year thanks to improved earnings in its healthcare unit. One of the big winners was Yasmin, the company's contraceptive drug, whose sales grew by 38 percent in the quarter. The company's stock was up 2 percent on the news and up some 28 percent so far this year. If the company's expectations prove true, some Bayer execs are going to be very happy with their bonus checks at year's end.

- read the Dow Jones report on Bayer's quarter

Related Article:
Bayer plans to beef up biotech pipeline. Report