Money Markets
Kenya will not be affected by birth control pills recall, says Pfizer
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer Incorporated headquarters is seen in this October 20, 2009 file photo on 42 Street in New York. US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer on February 1, 2012 recalled one million packets of birth control pills over a packaging error that could put women at risk of unintended pregnancy. AFP
Posted Friday, February 3 2012 at 11:40
International drug maker Pfizer has said that Kenya will not be affected by the recall of two contraceptives after their ability prevent pregnancy was questioned.
Pfizer’s assistant director of communication and public affairs for Nigeria and East Africa region Margaret Olele said the recall did not affect any of the drug maker’s products in Kenya.
An official at the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board however said it was in contact with Pfizer to confirm that the recalled contraceptives were not in circulation in Kenya.
Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, announced Thursday that it was taking back batches of a contraceptive called Lo/Ovral-28 and the generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets which are sold in blister packs of 21 tablets.
“As a result of a packaging error, the daily regimen for these oral contraceptives may be incorrect and could leave women without adequate contraception, and at risk for unintended pregnancy,” said the drug maker in a statement.
The batches of the oral contraceptives being recalled, it said, were only distributed in America. Pfizer said the pills were distributed by Akrimax Rx Products and labelled under the Akrimax Pharmaceuticals brand. The company said the packaging defects did not pose any immediate health risks but affected consumers should start using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately.
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