Birth control recalled after placebo found in place of active pill

The Freya-28 birth control pill has been recalled after a placebo was placed among active pills. Aug. 27, 2013. (Health Canada)

The popular oral contraceptive Freya-28 is being voluntarily recalled from Canadian pharmacies after a placebo was found in place of an active pill.

Health Canada warns that missing one or more birth control pills can result in reduced effectiveness, and potentially in an unplanned pregnancy.

Packages of Freya-28 normally have three rows of white active pills and one row of green placebo pills, but Mylan Pharmaceuticals received a report Tuesday that one misplaced placebo had been discovered in a single package.

The company has recalled the product from the market but has not heard of any adverse reactions experienced as a result of taking the pills.

Consumers are advised to return unopened packages of Freya-28 to their pharmacist and use non-hormonal birth control methods such as condoms or spermicidal foam until they can obtain another oral contraceptive.

Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to consult a doctor.

Mylan Pharmaceuticals’ Freya-21 product, which should contain 21 active pills and no placebos, is not affected by the recall.