Bill To Ban Controversial Birth Control Introduced By Pa. Lawmaker

Bucks County Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick has introduced a bill that seeks to remove a certain type of birth control from the market.

On Wednesday, Fitzpatrick announced the introduction of the E-Free Act, which is legislation that seeks to remove the medical device Essure from the market.

Fitzpatrick says the medical device, which provides permanent sterilization, is harmful and has damaging side effects.

According to information provided by Fitzpatrick, since Essure was approved in 2002, the FDA has received more than 5,000 formal complaints related to the device.

“Tens of thousands of women have reported symptoms including extreme pelvic and abdominal pain, migraines, autoimmune reactions, loss of teeth and hair, the metal coil breaking and migrating throughout the body, and the coil cutting into the uterus and other organs in the abdominal cavity,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

According to Fitzpatrick, the deaths of at least four women and five unborn children have been attributed to Essure, which is produced by Bayer.

“The failures of Essure are well documented and wide ranging. Yet, in the face of all these facts, this device remains on the market; certified with the FDA’s stamp of approval. That’s unacceptable to me and unacceptable to the tens of thousands of “Essure Sisters” who are living with this device’s effects,” said Fitzpatrick. “If the FDA or manufacturer aren’t willing to act in the best interest of these women, Congress must.”

During an event Wednesday, women who say they’ve been harmed by the device stood with Fitzpatrick outside the United States Capitol.

“Tens of thousands of otherwise healthy young women have been significantly harmed by the medical device Essure - most of them requiring multiple surgeries, most often, hysterectomy. We are asking Congress to help push the FDA to revoke the approval for this dangerous and ineffective medical device,” Amanda Rusmisell, a victim and legislative liaison for the Essure Problems group.

The Government Accountability Office is in the process of investigating the device and its approval process.

A Bayer spokeswoman told NBC News the company stands behind Essure.

“It is critical that the scientific data driven process already in place at FDA continues to guide the path forward. Bayer is committed to working with the FDA as it considers the Panel’s advice,” Rosemarie Yancosek told NBC New York.