Health Canada has announced a recall of two lots of Seasonale birth control, manufactured by Teva Canada Ltd., due to a packaging error involving an excessive number of placebo pills. This issue arose when the company responded to a complaint indicating that the affected packages included an extra row of placebo pills instead of the intended active pills.

Seasonale is designed to provide a 91-day supply of birth control, which is organized into three blister cards. Specifically, there are two cards containing 28 active pills each, distinguished by their pink color, and a third card that includes a total of 35 pills: 28 active pills and 7 placebo pills, which are white. However, the defective packages in question mistakenly contain an additional row of placebo pills on the second card, leading to concerns over proper dosage and effectiveness.

The specific lots being recalled have expiry dates of January 31, 2026, and September 30, 2026. Health Canada advises individuals who possess these affected packages to return them to their pharmacy immediately. It is vital that users do not skip taking any active pills during this process, as the presence of too many placebo pills could potentially lead to unplanned pregnancies.

Health Canada is closely monitoring both the recall and the ongoing investigation conducted by Teva Canada regarding this packaging error. The agency emphasizes the importance of adhering to the correct pill schedule to ensure the efficacy of the contraceptive method. Those impacted by this recall are urged to take swift action in returning the faulty product to mitigate any risks associated with incorrect usage.

This incident underscores the need for stringent quality control measures in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for products related to reproductive health. Misinformation around pill types can have significant consequences, and it is crucial for manufacturers to maintain rigorous oversight throughout the production and packaging processes.