Bayer May Have Pitched Birth-Control Pill for Unapproved Use

Units of Bayer AG, Germany’s largest drug maker, may have sought to market the Yasmin family of birth- control pills for unapproved uses and misled women about the health risks the drug posed, according to company e-mails. Besides the off-label marketing allegations, attorneys for women suing Bayer alleged internal company files show Berlex and Schering officials withheld some information from patients, doctors and regulators about the drug’s risk for blood-clots. The lawyers also claim in court filings that company officials wrongfully touted Yasmin and Yaz to be just as safe as rival birth-control pills.