*** IMPORTANT ***
A settlement agreement was reached to settle all actions filed in Canada. For more information, please see the “Developments” section below.
If you wish to oppose the settlement agreement, you must do so by October 14, 2025, 5 p.m. (eastern time).
On July 26, 2018, the Superior Court of Quebec authorized the class action filed by Siskinds Desmeules against the defendant Bayer, inc. (“defendant”) for all persons residing in Quebec who were prescribed and ingested the drugs Yasmin and/or Yaz, from the respective introduction of these drugs on the market (December 10, 2004 for Yasmin and January 6, 2009 for Yaz) and the date of November 30, 2011, and who were diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, arterial thromboembolism or gallbladder disease.
This class also concern estates, assigns, family members and dependants of persons described above.
The class action seeks to obtain damages from the defendant in order to compensate the Class members for the damages suffered from the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, arterial thromboembolism or gallbladder disease., allegedly resulting from the use of Yasmin and/or Yaz.
The court has not yet decided whether the defendant has committed a fault and the defendant is contesting the class action.
Similar class actions were also filed elsewhere in Canada, including in Ontario and in Saskatchewan.
Think you may be a member of this class action or know someone who might be?
Need more information?
Please email [email protected] or call us at 418.694.2009 or toll-free at 1.877.735.3842.
Developments
Proceedings
In July 26, 2018, the Superior Court of Québec authorized the bringing of a class action against the defendant on behalf of all persons residing in Québec who were prescribed and ingested the oral contraceptives Yasmin and/or Yaz and who were diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, arterial thromboembolism or gallbladder disease, and their families. The Court’s decision is available here.
In November 15, 2018, the Québec Court of Appeal dismissed the application brought by the defendant for leave to appeal from the authorization order rendered by Justice Beaugé. Accordingly, the authorization order became final. The decision of the Court of Appeal is available here.
In February 15, 2019, following the authorization, an originating application was filed.
On August 19, 2021, judgment was rendered on a motion to strike the defendant's allegations and specifications. The Court’s decision is available here.
On September 2, 2021, the originating application was amended. This motion is available here.
The class action is now moving towards a hearing on the merits.
Settlement agreement
On July 30, 2025, the parties to all the class actions across Canada have signed a settlement agreement to put an end to the various disputes concerning the contraceptive pills Yasmin and YAZ and the alleged risks of venous thromboembolism, arterial thromboembolism, and gallbladder disease. The settlement agreement is available here.
This settlement provides for the payment of a lump sum of $9,050,000 by Bayer, inc., without admission of liability. The settling class members will need to file a claim to obtain advantages from the sum. The advantages will be distributed according to a point system detailed in the Compensation and distribution protocol. The Compensation and distribution protocol is available here.
The settlement agreement must be approved by the courts of Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan to come into effect. The hearing for the approval of the settlement agreement in Ontario and Quebec will be on November 14, 2025 (date and place to come). The hearing for the approval of the settlement agreement in Saskatchewan will be on November 21, 2025 (date and place to come).
If you wish to oppose the settlement agreement, you must do so by October 14, 2025, 5 p.m. eastern time.
For more information on the settlement agreement, the hearings for approval or on how to oppose the settlement, please read carefully the long-form notice available here.
FAQs
What is a Class Action?
A class action is a lawsuit that is brought by one or more persons on behalf of a larger group of people whose claims share common legal and/or factual issues. Class actions provide a cost-effective way for groups of people with common interests to pursue a legal claim.
What does “authorization” mean?
Authorization is the motion where the court determines whether the action can properly be pursued as a class action. The court will consider factors such as whether the claims of the class members raise common legal and/or factual issues and whether a class action is the preferable method of pursuing the claims (as opposed to other methods, such as individual actions).
The class action was authorized on July 26, 2018.
Do I have to pay anything to participate in the class action?
Class action lawyers are usually paid on a contingency basis, meaning that class counsel are only paid if successful. Class counsel are paid a percentage of any settlement or court award, drawn from the compensation payable to class members. Class counsel fees are subject to court approval.
Can I join the class action?
There are no steps required to “join” the class action. Unless you opted-out (excluded yourself from the class action), assuming you fall within the scope of the class definition, you are automatically included in the class action.
Can I exclude myself from the class action?
No. The opt-out period ended on September 4, 2019. Click here to view the notice.
What should I do to protect my rights?
To protect your rights, you should:
- Obtain all pharmaceutical or medical records that prove the prescription and ingestion of Yasmin and/or Yaz ;
- Obtain all r medical records that prove the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, arterial thromboembolism or gallbladder disease ; and
- Contact us to register to our database and receive updates on this case.
You may contact Siskinds Desmeules so that we can assist you in obtaining your relevant medical and pharmaceutical records. The more time passes, the more difficult it may become to gather this information.
All personal information provided to Siskinds Desmeules regarding your injuries/symptoms will remain private and confidential.
I still have a question. Who should I contact?
If you have any additional questions, you can contact us by email at [email protected] or call us toll-free at 1.877.735.3842.
Documents
Settlement agreement
- Settlement agreement [official version in English] [French translation]
- Compensation and distribution protocol [official version in English] [French translation]
- Short-form notice of approval hearing [English] [French]
Proceedings
- Judgment authorizing the class action - Superior Court - July 26, 2018 (in French only)
- Order dismissing the leave to appeal - Court of Appeal - November 15, 2018 (in French only)
- Short-Form Notice: [English] [French]
- Long-Form Notice: [English] [French]
- Opt-Out Form: [English] [French]
- Originating Application - February 15, 2019 (in French only)
- Judgment on motion to strike the defendant's allegations and specifications - Superior Court - August 19, 2021 (in French only)
- Amended Originating Application - September 2, 2021 (in French only)