A batch of the well-known Yaz Plus contraceptive pill has been recalled by South African regulators due to a packing error that may render the product ineffective.
Women who are taking pills from the impacted batch should stop right away and consult a doctor, according to manufacturer Bayer Ltd.
Due to a packing error, certain blister packs had 24 inactive pills rather than 24 active tablets that contained hormones.
Only a small percentage of packets in a particular batch, WEW96J, which expired in March 2026, were impacted by the problem.
The erroneous batch has been recalled by Bayer, in consultation with the South Africa Health Products Regulatory Agency, with the company stressing the “root cause” of the mix-up had been identified and dealt with.
Yaz Plus contraceptives come in a standard pack with 24 hormone-containing active tablets that are pink in color, followed by four hormone-free, inactive pills that are pale orange in color.
Instead, several packets in the recalled batch had only four active hormone pills and twenty-four hormone-free inert pills.
The worry is that a woman who took ineffective tablets under the mistaken impression that she was taking hormonal contraception could be at risk of getting pregnant.
Bayer Ltd’s recall notice says: “While only a limited number of packs from the respective batch is affected, as a precautionary measure, no tablets from these packs shall be used until you have consulted your healthcare practitioner, as they may potentially not provide the contraceptive protection you expect.”
It is recommended that anyone who has purchased a package of pills from the designated batch return the tablets to pharmacies for a refund or replacement.
Packets of the impacted batch should also be returned by medical personnel, hospitals, pharmacies, physicians, nurses, and distributors.
“The root cause for the mix-up of tablets in the packaging has been identified and corrective measures have been implemented,” according to a statement from Bayer Ltd.
According to the company, the incident only affected one batch and did not affect any other batches.
The company has set up a helpline for people with any further questions.
