Recalled Birth Control Pills Could Mean Unintended Pregnancies

Precautionary product recalls are fairly common in the U.S., but one recent recall is bound to cause more concern than others. The fear: unplanned pregnancy.

Lupin Pharmaceuticals recalled birth control pills last month – specifically its Mibelas 24 Fe products – on account of improper packaging. The packaging error reversed the weekly tablet orientation, resulting in the first four days of the cycle having non-hormonal placebo tablets instead of active-ingredient pills.

This sequence mix-up could lead to unintended pregnancy, according to the Food and Drug Administration. For patients taking other medications or who have been advised to not get pregnant, a pregnancy could prove deadly. According to a press release issued in late May, no adverse maternal or fetal health consequences had been reported.

The pills bear the lot number L600518 and have an expiration date of May 31, 2018, coming in blister packs of 28 tablets. Note: The packaging error also led to this information being hidden.

They were distributed across the country, everywhere from wholesalers and clinics to retail pharmacies. Lupin is encouraging those who have the product to tell their doctor and return the pills where they purchased them. Consumers should also speak to their doctor if they've encountered any issues that could be tied to taking the pills.