Feb 6, 2012 | 3 min read

Hello Baby – Pfizer Birth Control Pills Recalled

One million packets of Pfizer birth control pills are now subject to a recall after a packaging error surfaced. The error could reduce the effectiveness of the birth control pills for those who used them and cause unintended pregnancies.

If you are currently on birth control pills, please check below from the FDA to see if your birth control pills are subject to the recall:

NDC	Product	Lot	Expiration	Configuration/Count
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	E15678	08/31/2013	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	E15679	08/31/2013	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	E15686	08/31/2013	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	E15687	01/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	E15690	01/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	E15698	01/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	E15700	02/28/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	E80434	07/31/2013	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	E80438	08/31/2013	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	F36908	02/28/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	F36909	02/28/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	F43915	03/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	F43926	03/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-801-84	LO/OVRAL® 28	F43927	03/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	E15677	08/31/2013	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	E15704	01/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	E15706	01/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	E80440	08/31/2013	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F16388	01/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F16390	02/28/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F22132	02/28/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F31330	02/28/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F36911	03/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F36913	03/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F43924	03/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F43925	03/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F43934	03/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each
24090-961-84	Norgestrel 0.3 mg/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg	F53238	03/31/2014	6 Pilpacks® of 28 tablets each

Half of the packets were from 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and the other half were 14 lots of generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets. These recalled birth control pills were packaged in blister packs containing 21 active tablets and seven inactive tablets. They were manufactured by Pfizer and then sold under the Akrimax Pharmaceuticals brand. The recalled birth control pills were distributed to retail pharmacies, warehouses, and clinics around the United States.

This recall raises serious problems. According to MSN News, this huge error can mean that the daily regimen for the birth control pills could be incorrect resulting in women without adequate contraception and further the risk for unintended pregnancy.

Dr. Jill Rabin, the chief of ambulatory care, obstetrics and gynecology and head of urogynecology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y., said, “Sequence and content of active versus inactive pills is crucial in determining efficacy, including whether or not unwanted pregnancy will be actually prevented.” The doctor recommends that women must determine if they have the recalled birth control pills and then ensure they are not pregnant if signs or symptoms of pregnancy are showing. Women who have taken these recalled birth control pills should also contact their health care provider immediately and switch to a non-hormonal form of contraception. They also need to return the defective product to the pharmacy.

Pfizer said that the cause of the error was identified and then corrected immediately.