Bayer's Translation of Swiss Study of Yaz Blood Clot Risks Is Not Complete

Bayer says that a study by Swissmedica, the Swiss medical authority, has shown that the risk of potentially fatal venous thromboembolisms is about the same for its Yaz contraceptive as it is with other pills. The results of the Swissmedic study have been eagerly anticipated by lawyers who have brought at least 129 cases against Bayer regarding Yaz. They allege that Bayer’s use of drospirenone in the pill increases risks of blood clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Bayer said:

Swissmedic emphasizes that oral hormonal contraceptives containing the active substance drospirenone have a comparable safety profile to that of other preparations available on the market.

However, that may not be exactly what the original Swissmedic release says. You can read Swissmedic’s release here. It is in German. (German readers, email me with your translations — this is your chance to shine! Entschuldigen sie bitte, ich habe kein Deutsch.)

You can access a Yahoo! Babelfish translation of the page here. The error-riddled translation seems to be more cautious, indicating that risks for drospirenone, a “fourth-generation” progestin compound, may be different. It says:

Particularly two new epidemiological studies from Holland and Denmark were taken from August 2009 under the magnifying glass, which reported on a increased VTE risk in connection with the active substance Drospirenon. The results proved that the risk with rising age of the woman and higher Östrogengehalt of the pill increases.

In the direct comparison in both studies it was shown that contraceptive pills of the 3rd generation exhibit a approximately two-way increased risk opposite those the 2nd generation.
The risk to get a venous Thromboembolie is to the 3rd generation with income of drospirenonhaltigen pills somewhat more deeply than with those.

A Google translation gets slightly different results, which seem somewhat favorable to Bayer:

When prescribing birth control pills, which contain the active ingredient in the pills of drospirenone and so called 3rd Generation should be risk factors of venous thromboembolism, such as genetic predisposition, obesity and smoking, especially respected. If there is a risk factor, should Swissmedic a non-hormonal method of contraception.

… The risk of having a venous thromboembolism that is taking pills drospirenonhaltigen somewhat lower than those of the 3rd Generation.

Lawyers, start your translators!

• Previous items on Bayer and contraception:
• Bayer’s Legal Woes: 125 Suits Over Yaz; FDA Allegedly Not Told of Trasylol Study
• On Yaz, Bayer Believes “a Multiple of a Rare Event Is Still a Rare Event”
• BMJ: Ingredient in Bayer’s Yaz Causes More Blood Clots Than Rivals
• Suits Claim Bayer’s Yaz Caused 50 Deaths; Novel Theory of Blood Clot Causation