Contraceptive

Potential Mass Tort Emerges in Philadelphia as Depo-Provera Lawsuits Link Injectable Contraceptive to Brain Tumors

by

PHILADELPHIA — Legal proceedings surrounding the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera could soon be consolidated into a mass tort, a move prompted by multiple lawsuits linking the medication to brain tumors. The potential coordination aims to streamline the legal process for the plaintiffs, who have raised serious concerns about the drug’s safety profile. Last week, Pfizer Inc., the manufacturer responsible for the branded version of Depo-Provera, formally requested that the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas manage these cases collectively. This would allow the court to address the various claims against the drug and its authorized generic counterparts … Read more

Florida Nurse Practitioner Settles Religious Accommodation Lawsuit with CVS, Ending Year-Long Battle Over Contraceptive Prescriptions

by

Tequesta, Florida — A Florida nurse practitioner, Gunna Kristofersdottir, who sought exemption from prescribing contraceptive drugs due to her religious beliefs, has reached a settlement with her employer, CVS Health Corporation and its MinuteClinic subsidiary, concluding more than a year of legal contention. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. Senior Counsel at First Liberty, Stephanie Taub, representing Kristofersdottir, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case, stating that it brings resolution to the nurse’s grievances. Kristofersdottir has been employed at the CVS MinuteClinic in Tequesta for several years. The issue began when … Read more

Jury to Determine Fate of Nurse Fired by CVS Over Contraceptive Dispensing Conflict

by

Miami, FL — A notable legal battle is unfolding in southern Florida where a nurse practitioner, adhering to her Roman Catholic beliefs, has taken CVS Health Corp. and two of its subsidiaries to court. The health professional alleges she was wrongfully terminated for refusing to provide hormonal contraceptives, with the case raising significant questions about religious accommodation in the workplace. The federal court has directed that the jury will need to consider if CVS could have reasonably accommodated the nurse’s religious beliefs without suffering undue hardship. This includes an examination of whether her abstention from … Read more

Women File Lawsuits Over Meningioma Risks Linked to Depo-Provera Contraceptive Shots

by

Depo-Provera, a contraceptive administered through injection, is facing scrutiny following recent revelations about its potential link to increased risks of meningiomas, a type of brain and spinal cord tumor. A significant study published in the British Medical Journal in March 2024 brought these concerns into the public sphere. The study encompassed data from over 108,000 women with 18,061 having undergone surgery for meningioma between January 2009 and December 2018, shedding light on the correlation between long-term use of Depo-Provera and this severe medical condition. Depo-Provera, produced by Pfizer, is primarily used to prevent pregnancy, offering … Read more