Pfizer Recall - Lo/Ovral & Norgestrel Birth Control Pills

[MuffyBee]

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/0cc71c595a72410a8375533c9c5eb70c/US--Pfizer-Birth-Control-Recall/
Pfizer recalls birth control pills due to error that could cause unintended pregnancy
January 31, 2012

WASHINGTON — Pfizer Inc. is recalling 1 million packets of birth control pills after uncovering a packaging error that could leave women with an inadequate dose of the hormone-based drugs and raise the risk that they will get pregnant accidentally.

The problem affects 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets. Both products are manufactured by Pfizer and marketed in the U.S. by Akrimax Rx Products.

Pfizer found that some packets of the drugs had too many active tablets, while others had too few. Oral birth control products use a series of 21 drug tablets and 7 inactive sugar tablets to regulate the menstrual period while providing contraception.

A company spokeswoman said the problem was caused by both mechanical and visual inspection failures on the packaging line. She said the problem has been corrected.

Pfizer issued a statement saying the problem is not related to safety but does raise the risk of unintended pregnancy.
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[MuffyBee]

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/02/01/birth-control-pills-recalled-may-not-prevent-pregnancy/
Birth control pills recalled, may not prevent pregnancy
February 1, 2012

Pfizer said on Tuesday it was recalling about 1 million packets of birth control pills in the United States because they may not contain enough contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.

Pfizer said the birth control pills posed no health threat to women but it urged consumers affected by the recall to "begin using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately."

The drugmaker said the issue involved 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets.
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What you need to know about the recall:

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/46218058

[MuffyBee]

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/pfizer-recall-birth-control-tablets-lo-ovral-norgestrel-ethinyl-estradiol-article-1.1015419?localLinksEnabled=false
Pfizer recall: What to do if you take birth control tablets Lo/Ovral or norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol
Drug company calling back 1 million packages of oral contraceptive, but experts say don't panic
By Lindsay Goldwert / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
February 1, 2012

Pfizer has ordered the recall of 1 million packages of birth control — but read this before you start worrying.

The drug company issued the order after finding that some packages had too many active tablets, while others had too few.

First things first: Make sure you are actually taking the oral controceptive that’s been recalled: Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and generic norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets.

The affected packets have expiration dates between July 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014.

Then look at the package and check the lot numbers. You can see if yours is one of the recalled ones by looking at the FDA.gov web site.

Still not sure? Call your pharmacist. He or she can help you ascertain whether your pill pack is affected.
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[MuffyBee]

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/02/01/contraceptive-recall-could-put-pfizer-at-risk-multi-million-dollar-lawsuit/
Contraceptive recall could put Pfizer at risk of multimillion-dollar lawsuit, attorney says
Written By Alex Crees
February 1, 2012

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer ordered the recall Tuesday of at least a million oral contractive packets because the pills might not be potent enough to prevent pregnancy.

Pfizer said the recall affected 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets. 

The action could leave the pharmaceutical giant vulnerable to a multi-million dollar lawsuit, according to one attorney.

In a statement, Pfizer said consumers exposed to affected packaging should begin using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately, and patients who have the affected product (lot numbers are provided on the company website) should notify their physician and return the product to the pharmacy.

Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing health editor of FoxNews.com, said this recall of birth control pills is one of the largest he can remember in recent years.  “If there’s one thing that for years women have relied on, it’s that the sun is going to come out in the morning, you have to pay taxes, and that your birth control pills will work,” he said.

“The efficacy of birth control pills is supposed to be 99.8 percent in preventing pregnancy, especially when women take it as directed. It seems to me that as people rely more on pharmaceutical companies to keep good quality control, we just keep going backwards.”

According to Pfizer’s statement, there are no other health risks associated with the contraceptives – but Greg Gianforcaro, a litigation attorney in New Jersey, told FoxNews.com the risk of unwanted pregnancies alone could be enough to open the company up to serious legal ramifications.
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