Recall Issued for Two Birth Control Pills Lots Due to Excess Placebos Contamination

Health officials are urging caution after a popular birth control medication has been recalled due to a packaging error. Health Canada announced that two lots of Seasonale birth control are being pulled from shelves following the discovery of an incorrect number of placebo pills in some packages.

According to the regulatory agency, the manufacturer, Teva Canada Ltd., was alerted to the matter after receiving a consumer complaint. It was found that certain packages intended to provide a 91-day supply were distributed with an additional row of placebo pills in place of the requisite active tablets. The official guidelines for Seasonale packaging specify three blister cards per pack: two cards with 28 pink active pills each, and a third card containing 28 active pills plus 7 white placebo pills.

In the affected lots, a row of placebo pills was mistakenly included in the second blister card—effectively reducing the number of active pills a user would receive. The product lots currently under recall carry expiry dates of January 31, 2026, and September 30, 2026. Health officials warn that following the mislabeled regimen could disrupt the effectiveness of the contraceptive.

"Individuals who possess recalled packages should return them to their pharmacy immediately," the agency advised. Importantly, those affected are urged not to skip any active pills while waiting for a replacement. Skipping or misordering pills, especially by taking extra placebo doses, can significantly increase the risk of unintended pregnancy.

Health Canada is actively monitoring both the recall and the manufacturer's ongoing investigation into how the packaging mix-up occurred. Consumers are advised to check their packages for the relevant expiry dates and to consult healthcare professionals with any concerns related to their birth control regimen.