Australian women are looking to join an expanding class action against Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), with claimants developing a type of benign brain tumour after using a popular contraceptive.
Multiple law suits have come in response major study earlier in the year which found women who used Depo-Provera for more than a year had a higher risk of developing a meningioma compared to women who didn't use it.
Depo-Provera, also called Depo-Ralovera, is a high-dose injection of a synthetic progesterone called medroxyprogesterone acetate, given to women every three months to prevent pregnancy.
In response to the study's findings, patients are preparing lawsuits in the United States, Canada and Australia, where law firm Shine has announced it is recruiting participants for a possible class action.
The British Medical Journal published the major study in March, with findings showing that women who used Depo-Provera for more than a year had a five-to-six-fold increased chance of developing a meningioma compared to women who did not use it.
Meningiomas are not malignant but they can grow in problematic parts of the brain and still need removal.
Doctors say although Depo-Provera can be a useful treatment for some conditions, including endometriosis and heavy periods, its long-term use should be carefully considered.
