A Tough Pill To Swallow: Public Citizen Wants To Ban New Birth Control Pills

It seems like every time we turn around there’s a new and improved version of something that we thought was already doing its job and working just fine. Among the latest of the “new and improved” products, a new brand of birth control pill that distributes lower doses of estrogen to the women who take it.

But, according to a U.S. consumer group, the adage of “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it”, seems to apply. In fact, they are reporting that the new low-dose pills double the risk of potentially harmful blood clots compared to older contraceptives.

Furthermore, Public Citizen has filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in an effort to pull the pills off the market, specifically those containing a type of progestin known as desogestrel.

Those opposed to continued distribution of these birth control pills suggest that banning them will save hundred of young women annually from developing venous thrombosis and the disabling and sometimes fatal consequences it brings.

In fact, they suggest that these new contraceptives may result in about 30 blood clots per 100,00 users as compared to 15 clots per 100,000 taking “second generation” contraceptives containing estrogen and progestin. These newer pills even carry a warning label cautioning users of the potential risks and effects, at least here in the U.S.

Still, many “big-name” pharmaceutical companies continue to sell third-generation oral contraceptives. And even Health Canada has approved of their sale and distribution.

However, Public Citizen notes that there is no noted evidence that desogestrel contraceptive pills offer any improved clinical benefits. And, the FDA has currently agreed to carefully review the petition to pull the pills.