Warning to women using them

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Pharmaceutical company Bayer is recalling a batch of their contraceptives Yaz Plus. They issued a warning to consumers to stop using them following a “mix-up” during the packaging of the product.

A limited number of packs sold at retail pharmacies were mixed up, reported BusinessLiveon 21 November 2024. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) issued an immediate recall of the defective products. Here’s more on the recall and how to check if your Yaz Plus contraceptive pack is affected.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR YAZ PLUS CONTRACEPTIVE PACK IS DEFECTIVE?

Bayer has provided information explaining how consumers can know if their Yaz Plus contraceptive pack is defective. In a statement shared with IOL, the pharmaceutical company said a Class II, Type A recall for the Yaz Plus tablets batch identified as WEW96J was initiated after consultations with SAHPRA. They revealed that the expiry date on the affected batch is March 2026.

Eric Chauke, the head of regulatory affairs at Bayers explained more. “This recall is initiated due to a limited number of packs found in retail pharmacies, with a mix-up of sequence and hormone-containing and hormone-free tablets where some packs had 24 light orange hormone-free and four pink film-coated hormone tablets instead of 24 pink film-coated hormone tablets and four light orange hormone-free tablets.”

Bayer recalls YAZ PLUS birth control pills over ‘mix up’ https://t.co/GyTQzBkjdy

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EFFICACY OF THE CONTRACEPTIVE POTENTIALLY COMPROMISED

This mix-up in the sequence of the birth control pills is said to have potentially compromised the efficacy of the product. According to Chauke, the defective packs contain just four hormone tablets instead of 24, which is what will make them ineffective.

WARNING TO ALL WOMEN TAKING YAZ PLUS CONTRACEPTIVES

A warning has been issued to all women taking Yaz Plus contraceptives not just those with the defective packs. Chauke expressed: “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.”

WHAT TO DO IF AFFECTED

Bayer’s regulatory affairs head said there are a few steps consumers who have been affected need to take. BusinessLive reported that Chauke said: “Please return all stocks of this batch to DSV Healthcare or the wholesaler/distributor that you purchased it from, for credit.”

Those taking Yaz Plus contraceptives were also reminded to check all the packs they purchased in case they bought more than one. SAHPRA has also urged consumers and healthcare professionals to any side effects on the Med Safety App.