According to Bloomberg, quoting court records, most of the complaints by users were for deep-vein thrombosis or blood clots on the legs or blood clots in the lungs. So far 20 women users had died from its use, according to 562 complaints reviewed by Bloomberg.
Since Johnson & Johnson marketed the birth-control patch in 2002, over 5 million women have used it. Complained filed on behalf of 4,000 users in various state and federal courts said J & J did not reveal or altered the medical data on the risk of high levels of estrogen released by the patch.
Following the rise in complaints the company, on its own, strengthened the warning label of its Ortho Evra patch in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Bloomberg came out with the $68.7 million estimate based on a common benefit fund which pays lawyers who gathered evidence used in the lawsuits against J & J.
Johnson and Johnson declined to confirm the veracity of Bloomberg's estimate or if out-of-court settlements were made, but maintained Ortho Evra is a safe and effective method of hormonal birth control if used according to FDA-approved label, said Gloria Vanderham, spokeswoman of J & J subsidiary Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical.
Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson announced the appointment last week of Sheri McCoy as worldwide chairman of its Pharmaceutical Groups effective Jan. 1, 2009. McCoy is the present worldwide chairman of the Surgical Care Group. McCoy will be replaced by Alex Gorsky, current company group chairman and worldwide franchise chairman of Ethicon.
