Family of young woman who died from blood clot urges UK government for clearer contraceptive warnings
London, UK – A family is calling for the UK government to introduce mandatory blood clot warnings on the external packaging of combined oral contraceptive pills, after the sudden death of their 31-year-old daughter. Holly Samantha Taylor passed away on 2 May 2025 from a pulmonary embolism, caused by a blood clot that travelled to her lung and cut off oxygen to her body and brain. Her father, Phil Taylor, has launched a petition to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
The petition, which can be found at https://chng.it/cnWzSs2Y2w, highlights the under-acknowledged risk of blood clots associated with combined oral contraceptives containing both estrogen and progestogen. Research from the NHS and other health authorities shows that women using these pills face a two to six times higher risk of developing blood clots compared to non-users, with up to 12 cases per 10,000 women annually. These risks are highest within the first year of use.
Currently, information about these risks is only included in the paper leaflets inside the packaging, which are often overlooked. The petition calls for clear blood clot warning labels on the outside of all combined pill packaging, prominent symptom checklists to encourage early medical attention, and an investigation into a colour-coded QR code system linking to safety information and guidance.
According to Phil Taylor, “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 also urges 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 of the petition hope that the UK will lead the way in making contraceptive safety warnings more visible, with the goal 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 more information and to sign the petition, please visit https://chng.it/cnWzSs2Y2w.