In brief
In an alarming development, Bayer Ltd has announced a recall of a limited batch of the popular Yaz Plus contraceptive pills in South Africa, following a packaging error that may render the contraception ineffective. The mistake, related to batch WEW96J set to expire in March 2026, saw blister packs containing 24 inactive pills instead of the necessary 24 hormone-containing active pills. Women using the affected pills are urgently advised to cease use and consult healthcare professionals.
As the South African Health Products Regulatory Agency collaborates with Bayer on the recall, the company stresses that the issue is confined to this specific batch, with precautions underway to prevent future occurrences. Yaz Plus is typically packaged with 24 pink hormone pills and four light orange inactive pills; however, the recalled batch mistakenly contained 24 hormone-free pills with only four active pills. Bayer emphasizes that taking inactive pills could lead to unintended pregnancies, urging users to return any affected packets to pharmacies for replacements or refunds. Health professionals are also instructed to remove the impacted items from circulation. Bayer has implemented corrective measures to rectify the issue and established a helpline for individuals seeking further information.
