Pfizer has recalled 1 million packs of Lo/Ovral-28 and generic norgestrel/ethinyl estradiol birth control pills. These pills that need to be taken in the correct sequence have been mixed up in packaging and women using them could be at risk of pregnancy.
Although the pills are made and packaged by Pfizer, they are sold by Akrimax Rx Products and carry the Akrimax name on their labels. The recall includes 14 lots of brand-name birth control pills and 14 lots of generic birth control pills distributed across the U.S. About 1 million packs of 28 tablets were withdrawn, Grace Ann Arnold, a Pfizer spokeswoman said.
These pills are available as blister packs of 28 pills from which each dose must be taken in sequence. A Pfizer investigation found that some packs have the wrong number of pills, and the pills may be out of order. Each pack normally contains 21 white pills with an active ingredient and seven pink pills that are inert. But women who take inert pills on days they should be taking active ones may not get the contraceptive effect they want, and should be aware of the signs of early pregnancy.
“An investigation by Pfizer found that some blister packs may contain an inexact count of inert or active ingredient- tablets and that the tablets may be out of sequence,” the company said. That could cause women to take an incorrect daily dosage and increase the risk of accidental pregnancy. The error was “identified and corrected immediately,” and doesn’t pose immediate health risks, Pfizer said. “However, consumers exposed to affected packaging should begin using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately.”
Authorities have assured that other than pregnancy, the recalled pills have no health risks other than those usual for the product. The company hasn’t received any reports of adverse health consequences, Arnold said. Women who have used the products should notify their doctors and return the products to their pharmacies.
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