On paper, Depo-Provera appears to be one of the best birth control options available. Unlike many female birth control options, Depo-Provera does not require daily or weekly attention from the woman trying to prevent pregnancy. Instead, the woman only needs to receive an injection once every 12 weeks. The injection boasts a high rate of effectiveness, with research indicating it prevents over 99% of pregnancies. The medication prevents ovulation, changes the consistency of cervical mucus to prevent fertilization and impacts the uterine lining, resulting in a lower risk of fertilized eggs implanting.
Unfortunately, the drug also has a shocking association with meningioma, a tumor that begins in the membranes around the brain. There is a class action lawsuit underway, and there have been some important updates in recent months.
What has changed?
Several of the case management developments in the Depo-Provera mass tort currently underway relate to scheduling. After a May 30 conference, the judge hearing the case issued a new Case Management Order (CMO) in late June. This order outlined new deadlines for the case.
June also saw the courts scheduling a hearing for Pfizer’s preemptive defense strategy. The hearing should take place on September 29th, 2025. The preemption defense that Pfizer intends to present relates to actions by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Specifically, the company claims that the FDA prevented Pfizer from adding a meningioma warning to the label for the drug in 2024. The company insists that the FDA rejecting its application proves the lawsuit is baseless, citing a lack of adequate medical evidence for the label change. The hope is that the FDA’s response eliminates the culpability of the company for failing to warn patients about the risks associated with the drug.
However, research has continued to come out that strengthens the connection between Depo-Provera and meningioma. Particularly when women stayed on the drug for more than four years or began using it after the age of 31, their chances of developing meningioma appear to be higher than it is among those who have never used the drug. Additionally, this particular risk does not have a known association with any other type of birth control.
Other updates include the dismissal of cases against certain authorized generic producers and a pretrial order in July that addressed anticipated motions related to the preemptive defense. Plaintiffs must now wait until September to find out how the courts ultimately rule on the preemptive defense and whether the lawsuit can proceed. When dangerous drugs cause cancer, the people sickened by those drugs may have legal rights.
Taking action against negligent medication manufacturers can lead to compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and other losses. Those affected by Depo-Provera may want to follow this current lawsuit to evaluate their possibility of taking legal action in the future.