Pfizer recalling 1 million packets of birth control pills

One million packets of birth control pills have been recalled by Pfizer Inc. after discovering a packaging error that could raise the risk of accidental pregnancy in women. The error affects 14 lots of the generic brand Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets, as well as 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets, which are products marketed in the U.S. by Akrimax Rx Products and manufactured by Pfizer.

Each packet of oral contraceptives contain a series of 21 active drug tablets and 7 inactive sugar tablets to regulate the menstrual cycle. Pfizer discovered that some packets contained too many active tablets, while others didn’t have enough. A company spokeswoman reported that the problem was caused by both visual and mechanical inspection failure on the packaging line, but the problem has been corrected.