The cooccurrence of heightened media attention and adverse drug reaction reports for hormonal contraception in the United Kingdom between 2014 and 2017

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the cooccurrence of heightened media attention after the publication of a paper by Skovlund et al in September 2016 on the link between hormonal contraception and depression or mood on adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports in the UK. Methods: A quantitative analysis of relevant newspaper articles published between January 2014 and December 2017 was performed, as well as a content analysis. ADR reports were collected from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency website and via a Freedom of Information request. A quantitative analysis was performed on ADR reports of hormonal contraceptives for all ADRs and for depressed mood disorders and disturbances. Results: The publication of the Skovlund et al paper did not lead to a peak in relevant newspaper articles, but there was a change in the content of the newspaper articles, which focussed more on the link between hormonal contraceptives and depression or mood. There was an overall increase in ADR reports by women relating to hormonal contraceptives between 2016 and 2017, and for combined contraceptives this was due to an increase in ADR reports of depressed mood disorders and disturbances. Conclusions: The content of media attention appears to affect ADR reporting by women for combined contraceptives. In general, patients report the majority of depressed mood disorders and disturbances ADRs as opposed to health professionals, who report other ADRs. Care providers can anticipate the effect of heightened media attention and help patients when they experience these ADRs.