A group of women who have suffered serious medical conditions after using a contraceptive jab have taken their campaign for answers to the Scottish Parliament.
Studies have linked Pfizer’s Depo-Provera to an increased risk of a type of brain tumour.
On Wednesday, six women who have been affected by the contraception injection met with a cross-party group of MSPs at Holyrood as they campaigned for a UK-wide inquiry.
One said that the drug has “changed my life dramatically for the worse”.
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland is representing around 70 clients who have been on Pfizer’s Depo-Provero for over two years, and also have been diagnosed with meningiomas.
A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 2024 found people using injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate – found in the Depo-Provera jab – for more than a year appear to have a higher risk of meningioma – a tumour of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
It is usually benign but can cause serious problems in some patients due to its location in the body.
Pfizer says Depo-Provera “has a well-established efficacy and safety profile” and has been used by millions of patients over the last 30 years.
Nicola Mackay was on Depo-Provera for 23 years until she had five seizures last February.
Ms Mackay, who is from Portmahomack in Easter Ross, has since gone on to have brain surgery and radiotherapy but she has been left with seizures.
“I was just in hospital two weeks ago with two seizures,” Ms Mackay said.
“I’ll be on anti-seizure medication for the rest of my life.
“They’re watching and waiting and scanning me every six months, because I do have three tumors – one has been removed and I’ve got two remaining tumors left in my brain.
“It’ll be lifelong, and it’s just changed my life dramatically for the worse.”
Ms Mackay, formerly a nurse, cannot work or drive at the moment.
“I live rurally, so that is a huge impact on my life, and it’s affected not just me, but my family’s life as well,” she said.
“I can’t be left alone for long periods of time because of the seizure risk.”
She hoped the meeting will spread the word to all healthcare professionals about the risks that Depo-Provera and meningiomas have.
“One case of meningioma is too many, and the risk is just too high,” she said.
“They say it is a small risk, but I say one risk and one person affected is a life devastated.”
Shona Gilmore, from Dundee, was also at the meeting with MSPs in Edinburgh on Wednesday.
She said the group of ladies were there to try and get a UK review of the medication.
Ms Gilmore has been on Depo-Provera for 23 years without any checks.
A couple of months ago, she noticed discussions on Facebook about the jab creating a higher risk of meningiomas.
“Since then I’ve been fighting with my doctor to get the relevant scans, and they’re just shutting patients down,” Ms Gilmore said.
“I’ve had a CT scan, which I had to basically beg for, and now that they’re saying there’s no more scans required, but these tumours are not detected on a normal CT scan. They just don’t seem to be listening to that at all.”
Ms Gilmore, who has not been diagnosed with any tumours, wants doctors and the NHS to recognise that there is a concern there for women who have been using the contraception jab.
“Obviously, I’m very concerned,” she said.
“The ladies have had seizures and things like that. I don’t want to get to that stage.
“The symptoms are there, but it’s just like we’re knocking our heads against brick walls, and that needs to change for everybody in the UK,” Ms Gilmore said.
Emma Bruce, a solicitor for Thompsons, said the group was “really happy” with how the meeting went with MSPs.
“We had cross-party discussions with various members of parliament, and they’ve agreed to take it to the highest point that they can,” Ms Bruce said.
“Whilst they were receptive to a public inquiry, they recognise that a public inquiry can take years, and we need action here and now.”
Ms Bruce said MSPs discussed things such as educating young women and implementing information about the risks associated with Depo-Provera into sex education, as well as making sure GPs are informed of the risks associated with the jab.
“I think what was really, really important today was that the women were really listened to and really valued,” Ms Bruce said.
“It was just great to see them finally being listened to because for years women’s health hasn’t been taken seriously enough, and we know that this is an ongoing issue. It’s just really horrific seeing it get to this stage.”
A spokesperson for Pfizer said: “Patient safety is our top priority.
“We conduct rigorous and continuous monitoring of all our medicines, including assessments of reported adverse events, in collaboration with health authorities around the globe.
“Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) has been approved in more than 60 countries over the last 30 years, has a well-established efficacy and safety profile and has been a treatment option for millions of patients during that time.
“People should talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse if they have any concerns or experience any side-effects.”
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