This week both Finland and the UK joined Brasil in discontinuing Essure. By September 1, all sales and distribution of Essure will cease in the UK. However, instead of the manufacturer Bayer admitting that they aren’t selling there anymore because the device is less effective than traditional tubal ligation surgery, is causing thousands of women horrible suffering and has even killed both implanted women and the babies born with this device, Bayer insists they just aren’t making money selling Essure to people in the UK.
Essure & the U.S.
Unfortunately, in the U.S. it is all about profit. The FDA is supposed to protect our nation’s health, but it isn’t standing up to Bayer. Last year, the agency told Bayer to put a Black Box warning on the device. This is the strongest warning a product can have. However, the warning is useless if women never see the labeling. Plus, no one is properly educating doctors on the risks of Essure. Bayer is educating medical personnel and giving them pricey medical equipment for purchasing two Essure kits per month.
They also aren’t making a huge profit here either. In 2016, Bayer lost over $400M due to injuries caused by the device. Almost 10,000 women filed complaints with the FDA due to horrific side effects they experienced when using the device. This led to thousands of lawsuits against the manufacturer.
Essure Injuries
The FDA fast-tracked approval of Essure in 2002. They required researchers to monitor patients in the initial study for an additional 5 years. Regrettably, researchers followed only 366 of the original 618 patients. Out of those 366, 15 had hysterectomies, 38% had usually heavy periods, 5% suffered from recurrent pelvic pain and 4% painful intercourse.
The most common complications are pregnancy (nearly 1 in 10 women are at risk), hysterectomy, allergic reaction, and abdomen or pelvis perforation.
We Want to Help Victims
Furthermore, it is your right for manufacturers to inform you about the long-term risks associated with the medical devices. Plus, it is the responsibility of manufacturers to provide this information. If you or a loved one has suffered any side effects from Essure, you should demand accountability from Bayer. Why did no one tell you?
Of course, we want to help send a message that this is not acceptable. We are advocates for consumers when a dangerous product harmed them, and likewise, we have the experience necessary to successfully litigate these cases.
Contact the Michael Brady Lynch Firm today for a free consultation to learn more about seeking justice. Compensation may be available for any medical expenses associated with this ordeal, as well as for your physical and emotional suffering. There is no obligation.