Contraceptive pills recalled in South Africa after packaging mix-up

A popular contraceptive pill in South Africa, Yaz Plus, was recalled on Thursday (Nov 21) after a packaging mix-up.

According to BBC, the mix-up resulted in at least 24 packs being filled by inactive pills instead of hormone-containing ones.

The manufacturing company Bayer Ltd asked women to not use the pills from the affected batch after the news of a mix-up. It also asked women to immediately consult a medical professional if they had already been using it.

Only a limited number of pills were affected in the batch labelled WEW96J, which will be expiring in March 2026.

According to a BBC report, the company claimsto have found the "root cause" of the issue and has fixed it.

A normal pack of Yaz Plus contains 24 hormone-containing pills, pink in colour, followed by four hormone-free and inactive pills, orange in colour. But after the mix-up, a few packs were carrying 24 hormone-free and inactive pills only.

"While only a limited number of packs from the respective batch is affected, as a precautionary measure, no tablets from these packs shall be used until you have consulted your healthcare practitioner, as they may potentially not provide the contraceptive protection you expect," Bayer Ltd's recall notice read as per BBC.

The company has also asked people having the packets from the affected batch to return them to pharmacies for a replacement or refund.

Eric Chauke, regulatory affairs head at Bayer, as per Bizcommunity said, "This is a Class II Type A recall which is intended for medicines that possibly could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health problems or mistreatment."

Why do contraceptive pill packets carryineffective pills?

Contraceptive pill packets carry a few hormone-free and ineffective pills that are known as "placebo" or "reminder" pills.

These pills help as a reminder to take your pills every day and start a new packet on time.

(With inputs from agencies)