LONDON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - More than 100 women are suing the makers of the newest oral contraceptives in a group action that accuses the companies of failing to protect people from harmful side effects, lawyers said on Monday. It is believed to be the first major class action of its kind against big drug companies and follows the death and disability of some women taking the medication. Claimants allege the third-generation pills produce an increased risk of blood clots.

The lawyers said German drugs firm Schering AV (SCHG.DE), Organon, a unit owned by Dutch chemical group Akzo Nobel NV (AKZOY.O) and Wyeth, British arm of American Home Products Corp (AHP.N), could face millions of pounds (dollars) in compensation claims.

"We are confident that all the evidence is now in place to establish that the risks associated with third-generation oral contraceptive pills are greater than those of their predecessor pills and that the manufacturers should have carried out research into this and taken steps to protect the public," Houghton & Co, the lawyers representing the women, said in a statement.

The lawyers are acting on behalf of the families of five women who have died and 118 others who have suffered disability. The trial is expected to take place in the High Court in London next January.

On Friday, the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA), the European Union drug regulatory body, confirmed an increased risk with third-generation pills, which lawyers in the class-action case said should help their argument.

"We are very happy with what we have just read because it confirms there is an increased risk. It now means that it is not really arguable," said Chris Tagg, an associate at the law firm.

He said the claimants included the families of five teenagers who had died, as well as young women who had been paralysed and were now confined to wheelchairs. Other women had suffered painful blood clots.

The amount of compensation being sought has not been revealed but Tagg said it could total millions of pounds.

A spokeswoman for Schering said the company would "vigorously defend" the action. Schering did not accept the EMEA conclusion about the increased risk of third-generation pills.