A voluntary nationwide recall for a Alabama pharmaceutical company was issued Friday for "multiple lots" of birth control pills due to what it described as a systemic "packaging error."
Qualitest Pharmaceuticals spokeswoman has said that "there are no immediate health issues currently" because of the packaging problems.

"The unintended consequence of pregnancy is really the issue," spokesman Kevin Wiggins said. "That's why the company took a drastic action."

Wiggins said the recall involves 1.4 million packages that have been distributed to pharmacists and customers since last year. According to a statement for the Huntsville-based company, "select blisters (found inside the pill box) were rotated 180 degrees within the card, reversing the weekly tablet orientation." This helped to leave the pills' lot number, as well as the expiration date, "no longer visible."

"As a result of this packaging error, the daily regimen for these oral contraceptives may be incorrect and could leave women without adequate contraception, and at risk for unwanted pregnancy," the company said.

The recall affects these products: Cyclafem 7/7/7, Cyclafem 1/35, Emoquette, Gildess FE 1.5/30, Gildess FE 1/20, Orsythia, Previfem and Tri-Previfem.

Customers can call 1-877-300-6153 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT to get their questions answered, arrange to return their pills or report problems. Qualitest is working with authorities "at a very high level," as well as with the product's manufacturers, to determine what happened.

"We're dedicated to ensuring the safe use of our products, (and) this recall reaffirms our high standards," he said. "It's an error, nonetheless, and we put patients at the center of what we do."

1.4 million packages that have been distributed to pharmacists and customers since LAST year! The recall affects the following birth control pill brands: Cyclafem 7/7/7, Cyclafem 1/35, Emoquette, Gildess FE 1.5/30, Gildess FE 1/20, Orsythia, Previfem, and Tri-Previfem.

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