Eight oral contraceptives have been voluntarily recalled because of a packaging error.
Alabama-based Qualitest Pharmaceuticals issued the nationwide recall, effective immediately. Products recalled include Cyclafem 7/7/7, Cyclafem 1/35, Emoquette, Gildess FE 1.5/30, Gildess FE 1/20, Orsythia, Previfem and Tri-Previfem, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
The packaging defects pose no immediate health risks but can leave women with inadequate contraception.
As a result of the error, weekly tablet orientations were reversed, and the expiration dates were not visible, according to the FDA.
The recall involves 1.4 million packages that have been distributed since last year, a spokesman for the company told CNN.
The Alachua County Health Department and the Student Health Care Center are aware of the recall. The health department clinic has never carried pills by Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, according to Elly Devost, the ACHD clinic manager.
The SHCC pharmacy pulled hundreds of packs off its shelves, but it doesn't believe any were packaged incorrectly, said Laura Tipton, the pharmacy manager. The pharmacy records lot numbers and expiration dates for each prescription dispensed.
However, the pharmacy is willing to return any recalled item. Students can come in, and the pharmacy "will give them a different manufactured product," Tipton said.
Qualitest is urging consumers exposed to affected packaging to begin using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately.
Go to www.qualitestrx.com/pdf/OCRecall.pdf for a complete list of the recalled contraceptives.
