{blacktriangledown}Yasmin advert withdrawn - when and how

doi:10.1136/dtb.2003.41317

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2003;41:17-18; doi:10.1136/dtb.2003.41317

${blacktriangledown}$ Yasmin advert withdrawn - when and how

In April 2002, Schering Health Care launched its combined oralcontraceptive (COC) pill ${blacktriangledown}$ Yasmin in the UK with an advertisingcampaign that centred on claimed 'lifestyle' advantages of theproduct. In our August 2002 article 'Is ${blacktriangledown}$ Yasmin a "truly different"pill?', we concluded that the company's claim that Yasmin is"the pill for wellbeing" was unjustified and misleading andshould be withdrawn.¹ We also argued that there was no compellingpublished evidence that Yasmin offered any advantages over other,longer-established, COCs with regards to weight gain, skin conditionor premenstrual symptoms. In September, we received a letterfrom Schering's solicitors threatening to sue us for defamationon the grounds that "the article has damaged the reputationof Yasmin and the Company". In December, we learned that thecompany had withdrawn the advertising. Here, we summarise theevents that led to the withdrawal. We also consider the weaknessesthis episode reveals about current procedures for controllingmedicines promotion in the UK.