UK law firms consider action on behalf of women who developed brain tumours after using contraceptive | Pfizer
British law firms are considering taking legal action on behalf of women who developed brain tumors after using the contraceptive injection Depo-Provera.
Depo-Provera is a high-dose synthetic progesterone, prescribed for contraception and other menstrual symptoms, given by injection every three months. According to UN calculations, 74 million women worldwide and 3.1% of British women aged 15 to 49 use injectable contraception.
Several studies have shown that women who take Depo-Provera have a much higher relative risk of developing meningiomas, although the overall risk remains low. Normally non-cancerous, these benign tumors can cause seizures, blindness, hearing loss, headaches and memory problems.
Several law firms now hope to take legal action against Pfizer in the UK. Austen Hays told the Guardian he had potential clients, the Fletchers website is actively seeking clients and Leigh Day said it was in the early stages of examining the legal basis of any matter.
Chaya Hanoomanjee, partner at Austen Hays, said: “We have been approached by at least 30 women who have developed meningiomas following prolonged use of Depo-Provera.
“Their lives have been significantly affected by brain tumors, with consequences including loss of vision and, in one case, the termination of a woman’s pregnancy. It is Pfizer’s responsibility to ensure the safety of a drug and to update warnings and contraindications as soon as new risks become known.”
“We are reviewing the legal merits of each case, with a view to lodging a claim in the UK.”
Jill Paterson, partner at Leigh Day, said: “We have been aware of the concerns raised about Depo-Provera for some time. We know the devastating impact that meningiomas can have on women’s lives and are assessing the strength of any potential cases in those affected.”
“We are investigating the possibility of legal action against the manufacturer and hope to have a clear position on this soon.”
The potential legal action in the UK comes as thousands of women are suing Pfizer for redress in the US. Three law firms are pursuing a federal case, representing about 2,500 women, with the first trial taking place in December.
The lawyers argue that Pfizer knew of the meningioma risk since at least 2015, but failed to warn patients or healthcare professionals about the risks, nor did it adequately warn the U.S. regulator, the Food and Drug Administration.
Pfizer has not admitted liability and is contesting the litigation.
The health consequences of meningioma can be devastating. Sandra Somarakis is one of the women suing Pfizer in the United States for relief and damages after developing a meningioma following long-term use of Depo-Provera. “Women shouldn’t have to live with what I went through,” she said. “There must be consequences.”
Somarakis, represented by Weitz & Luxenberg, took Depo-Provera for about 15 years and was diagnosed with meningioma in 2008, for which she had surgery. In 2010, she had to undergo further surgery and radiotherapy.
Fifteen years later, Somarakis still suffers from serious health problems. “To this day, I can’t open my mouth wide,” she said. “My left eye always pops out. It’s painful, it’s watery. It’s hard to remember people’s names, I get lost easily.”
In the UK, Claire Buck, 47, believes the vaccine could have contributed to her meningioma and says she would consider taking legal action against Pfizer, although for now she is focusing on raising awareness.
“I have a teenage daughter and I wouldn’t want that to happen,” she said. Buck had to have a metal plate placed in front of his head after brain surgery for a large meningioma. The Surrey foster carer, who took Depo-Provera for several years, says her body went into shock when she returned from surgery. “I almost died,” she said. “I’m lucky to be here.”
Buck experiences persistent, life-changing symptoms. Her chewing muscles shrank, causing a lot of pain, she developed glaucoma and hearing and memory problems, and her mental health suffered.
“I’m afraid of hospitals, I live in constant fear that the tumor will start to grow again and I can’t deal with crowds or busy spaces – I’m afraid someone will hit my head,” she said.
Emma (pseudonym), 57, believes evidence suggests taking Depo-Provera may have contributed to the growth of her meningiomas. She was diagnosed in 2024, after developing seizures on the left side of her body. She had taken Depo-Provera for 15 years until 2019.
Although Emma says that physically she has recovered well from her operation, she now suffers from fatigue and problems with memory and attention. She is also worried about the prognosis. “I’m afraid they’ll come back and I’ll end up with brain cancer or lose my vision. »
A Pfizer spokesperson said: “Patient safety is our top priority. We conduct rigorous, ongoing monitoring of all our medicines, including assessments of reported adverse events, in collaboration with health authorities around the world.
“Depo-Provera has been approved in more than 60 countries over the past 30 years, has a well-established efficacy and safety profile, and has been a treatment option for millions of patients over that time.
“People should speak to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse if they have any concerns or experience any side effects.”
