About 150 Women Press UK Inquiry Into Depo-Provera Brain Tumour Link
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
About 150 Women Press UK Inquiry Into Depo-Provera Brain Tumour Link
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 2
Summary
About 150 women are in the early stages of legal action against Pfizer while pressing for a UK-wide inquiry into whether long-term Depo-Provera use is linked to Meningioma brain tumours.
Nicola McKay, 53, said she developed three tumours after 23 years of injections every three months; surgery could not fully remove them, and she now faces lifelong seizure risks and medication.
A 2024 BMJ study found women using Depo-Provera for at least 12 months were 5.6 times more likely to develop meningiomas, and the UK patient leaflet was updated that year to warn of the risk.
Scottish Public Health Minister Maree Todd said she would meet affected women next week, while the UK health department and MHRA said further regulatory action would depend on significant new evidence.
Pfizer said Depo-Provera, approved in more than 60 countries, has a well-established safety profile and is subject to rigorous continuous monitoring.
As thousands receive payouts, why is this contraceptive shot still being offered to new patients?
Why did it take regulators until 2024 to warn of a brain tumour risk known for decades?
With a US settlement reached, what justice can women in the UK and elsewhere now expect?
Depo-Provera Under Scrutiny: UK Campaigns, Global Warnings, and the Meningioma Brain Tumour Controversy (2026)
Overview
The UK campaign for a public inquiry into the link between Depo-Provera and meningioma brain tumours gained strong momentum in July 2026, driven by growing concerns from affected women, legal representatives, and political figures. This surge followed a French BMJ study in March 2024, which renewed attention on the risks of synthetic progesterones and fueled demands for a comprehensive investigation. At the same time, the MHRA confirmed it is continuously reviewing the safety of medroxyprogesterone acetate, using global research and data, and will consider further regulatory action if significant new information emerges.