February 1, 2012

Drug manufacturer Pfizer is recalling almost one million packs of birth control pills after a "packaging error" has left an unknown number of American women possibly exposed to the risk of unintended pregnancies.

According to a spokesperson, the recall only applies to the U.S. market, but Canadians who are concerned about the Lo/Ovral-28 pill or Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets can still check the lot numbers of affected packets on the Pfizer website.

The company says the error means that some women could have taken an inadequate dose of their birth control pill, which means they are at greater risk of getting pregnant. Some packets actually had too many active tablets, while others didn't have enough. Usually, packets of birth control pills come with 21 drug tablets and seven inactive sugar pills in order to help users regulate throughout their cycles.

There are no medical risks associated with taking the wrong balance of pills - just a risk of an unwanted pregnancy. But some commentators believe that Pfizer's recall could have broader-reaching effects. Dr. Vanessa Cullins, vice president for external medical affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, believes the recall may damage public perceptions of birth control pills. She said "this manufacturing error diminishes people's confidence in an extremely important and safe method of contraception". On the other side of the issue, the Washington Post's Elizabeth Flock suggests that this recall is only the latest in a series of "troubling developments" around birth control, including evidence that Yaz and Yasmin pills may double the risk of blood clots among women.

Pfizer has said that the error has been corrected, and that anyone with an affected package should return it to the pharmacy immediately for exchange. The packets in question have expiry dates from between July 31, 2013, and March 31, 2014.

The Pfizer recall isn't the only case of a faulty contraceptive receiving wide distribution. South Africa announced that it is recalling over one million defective condoms, after widespread reports of them bursting during sex or otherwise falling apart. The condoms were distributed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of South Africa's ruling African National Congress party earlier last month.

Sources:

ABC

Washington Post

The Associated Press

BBC

CBC

USA Today

The Guardian

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