Group Urges FDA To Remove J&J Birth Control Patch From Market

Washington (dbTechno) - A U.S. advocacy group, the Public Citizen’s Health Research Group is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to pull the Johnson & Johnson birth control patch, Ortho-Evra, from the market. The group states that the birth control patch has been linked to an increased risk of potentially fatal blood clots.

The Public Citizen’s Health Research Group filed a petition with the FDA on Thursday, stating that the birth control patch is not safe for use.

They stated that studies have shown there is a great safety concern with the patch. The amount of estrogen released from the patch, and absorbed by women can put them at risk fo dangerous blood clots and pain.

This builds on a recent study which revealed that the Ortho-Evra birth control patch made women two times more likely to develop blood clots compared to women who took birth control pills.

The risk spans from women aged 15 to 44-years old, and resulted in warnings being added to the patch of the label.

The group says this is not enough though, as the group wants the patch pulled from the market completely.

There has yet to be any type of response from the FDA in regards to the petition.

Ortho Evra is marketed as a safe and effective alternative to birth control pills, but the group is stating that there is nothing safe about it at all.