Consider this a serious heads up to those of you who read starcasm and could possibly be effected by this recent news. Pfizer has recalled a million possibly mispackaged birth control blister packs.
The issue is with specific lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets, manufactured by Pfizer and marketed by Akrimax Rx Products under the Akrimax Pharmaceuticals brand. The packets containing the 28 pills are supposed to have 21 active tablets and 7 sugar tablets but because of a serious mess up some of these may have too many active tablets and worse, too few.
In part, the official recall reads:
These products are oral contraceptives indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception. These tablets were manufactured and packaged by Pfizer Inc., commercialized by Akrimax Rx Products and labeled under the Akrimax Pharmaceuticals brand. This product is distributed to warehouses, clinics and retail pharmacies nationwide.
As a result of this packaging error, the daily regimen for these oral contraceptives may be incorrect and could leave women without adequate contraception, and at risk for unintended pregnancy. These packaging defects do not pose any immediate health risks. However, consumers exposed to affected packaging should begin using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately. Patients who have the affected product (lot numbers are provided below) should notify their physician and return the product to the pharmacy.
Translated, if you’re using pills from these particular lots make sure that if you’re going to remain sexually active that you use protection, return the pills you’ve got to your pharmacy and call your doctor. If you believe this may effect you or someone you know you can go here to find out the specific lots that are being recalled. You can see photos of the effected brands here.
