Contraceptive pills and thrombosis: effects of the French crisis on prescriptions and consequences for medicine agencies.

The higher risk of venous thromboembolism with 3rd and 4th- generations combined oral contraceptives compared to 2nd generation triggered a media crisis in France. Exposure to 3rd or 4th-generation combined oral contraceptives led to an annual excess of around 100 premature deaths in Europe. In the absence of any demonstrated additional benefit of these combined oral contraceptives, measures were taken to decrease exposure of women to this illegitimate excess of risk. As a consequence, this crisis saw a 45% decrease in the prescription of 3rd and 4th-generations combined oral contraceptives, without adverse consequences.