The first lawsuit claiming damages from the manufacturer of a controversial
contraceptive implant called Norplant has ended in a mistrial.
Six women who had the device implanted in their arms were suing Wyeth-Ayerst
Laboratories of Philadelphia, blaming the company’s implants for health problems
including hair loss and irregular menstrual cycles
(This Week, 24 January, p 5).
But their case collapsed after one woman changed details of her story from a
sworn affidavit.
Similar lawsuits involving some 50 000 women are pending.
