It was announced yesterday that New York based Pfizer is voluntarily recalling 1 million packets of widely distributed birth control pills. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that 14 lots of Lo/Ovral 28 (norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) Tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets (generic) potentially contain inexact count of inert or active ingredients and those tablets may be out of sequence.
This recall should be of huge concern for women in Massachusetts and across the United States. Many women take birth control as part of their daily regimen and rely on these products as part of smart family planning practices. Although it is important to recognize Pfizer and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for acting quickly, more needs to be done across the United States to ensure that defective drugs never get in the hands of consumers.
With regard to the Pfizer recall, the defective products do not pose an immediate health risk to consumers. However, continued use of these recalled drugs could lead to unintended pregnancy. Women who have been taking these defective products should use a non-hormonal form a birth control immediately and contact their doctor.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a very active website. It is a great resource for product recalls and alerts.
This announcement by Pfizer comes on the heels of an announcement last month by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that Yaz and Yasmin, two other leading birth control bills, needed to be strengthened. That announcement also described blood clots in women as a potential complication associated with these drugs. A study out of Denmark recently found that Yaz or Yasmin doubled the risk of blood clots in women who were taking them.
If you or a loved one is taking, or has recently taken, any of the above drugs it is important that you take these recalls and announcements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seriously. It is also important to contact your doctor or other medical professional if as soon as possible.
Contact a knowledgeable Products Liability Attorney as well to discuss your rights.
