Popular contraceptive recalled after manufacturing mix-up

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Bayer (Pty) Ltd in consultation with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), on Wednesday issued a statement recalling a potentially ineffective batch of YAZ PLUS contraceptive pills, labelled WEW96J with an expiry date of March 2026.

A mix-up in the arrangement of hormone-containing and hormone-free tablets resulted in 24 light orange hormone-free tablets and 4 pink film-coated hormone tablets instead of 24 pink film-coated hormone tablets and 4 light orange hormone-free tablets.

With only one batch affected and the ‘root cause’ of the mix-up identified, the company has put measures in place to ensure the integrity of the product.

Women in possession of this specific batch of contraceptives are urged to stop taking them immediately and return the product to the pharmacy or retailer for a refund.

Additionally, as a precaution, ladies with multiple packs are advised to check them to ensure none are not part of the affected batch.

If you have consumed tablets from the affected batch, consult with your healthcare provider for advice.

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