Family Calls for Stronger Warnings on Contraceptive Packaging After Daughter’s Tragic Death
London, UK – On Tuesday, August 5th of 2025, the family of 31-year-old Holly Samantha Taylor, who passed away suddenly from a pulmonary embolism, is urging the UK government to take action and introduce mandatory blood clot warnings on the external packaging of combined oral contraceptive pills. Holly’s father, Phil Taylor, has launched a petition in hopes of preventing similar tragedies.
Holly tragically passed away on May 2nd, 2025, after a blood clot traveled to her lung, cutting off oxygen to her body and brain. She had been taking a combined oral contraceptive pill for nine months prior to her death. Her father, Phil, has launched a petition calling for clearer warnings to be placed on the packaging of these pills to prevent similar tragedies from happening.
The petition, which can be found at https://chng.it/cnWzSs2Y2w, highlights the known but under-acknowledged risk of blood clots associated with combined oral contraceptives. According to research from the NHS and other health authorities, women who use the combined pill face a two to six times higher risk of developing blood clots than non-users, equating to up to 12 cases per 10,000 women annually. This risk is even higher within the first year of use.
Currently, the only information about these risks is included in the paper leaflets inside the packaging, which are often overlooked. The petition calls for clear and prominent blood clot warning labels to be placed on the outside of all combined pill packaging, as well as symptom checklists to encourage early medical attention. It also urges an investigation into a color-coded QR code system that would link to safety information and guidance.
Phil Taylor, Holly’s father, stated, “Holly was vibrant, funny, and deeply loved. She had so much more life to live. If her story can save even one family from this heartbreak, then some good can come from this tragedy. Women deserve to be warned clearly about the risks of the combined pill – on the box, not hidden in a leaflet.”
The family is also calling for greater awareness among healthcare professionals to better recognize symptoms of blood clots in women taking estrogen-based contraceptives.
The petition, addressed to the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Department of Health, has already received hundreds of signatures. Supporters are hoping that the UK will lead the way in making contraceptive safety warnings more visible, with the aim of inspiring similar changes worldwide.
Holly Samantha Taylor was a passionate advocate for sustainability and an inspiration to all who knew her. Known for her kindness, humor, and ability to connect with people, she is deeply missed by her family and friends.
For those interested in reading and signing the petition, please visit: https://chng.it/cnWzSs2Y2w. Let’s work together to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.