YAZ PLUS Recall: Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Unintended Pregnancies – Are You Eligible?

Have you experienced an unintended pregnancy while taking YAZ PLUS? You may be eligible to join a growing number of women seeking compensation for a significant packaging error that has compromised the effectiveness of this popular oral contraceptive. This blog post will delve into the details of the YAZ PLUS recall, the class action lawsuit being filed, and how you can determine if you qualify to participate.

The YAZ PLUS Packaging Error: A Serious Breach of Trust

Birth control is a cornerstone of reproductive health, empowering women to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. When a contraceptive fails due to a manufacturing defect, the consequences can be devastating. In November 2024, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) issued a nationwide Class II recall for a specific batch of YAZ PLUS oral contraceptive pills. The reason? A critical packaging error that “drastically undermined contraceptive efficacy”.

Specifically, blister packs from batch number WEW96J contained 24 hormone-free (light orange) tablets alongside only four active hormone (pink) tablets. This is a reversal of the intended design of 24 active hormone tablets and four placebo tablets. This error meant that women were unknowingly taking significantly more placebo pills than active pills, greatly increasing their risk of unintended pregnancy.

Class Action Lawsuit: Seeking Justice for Affected Women

In response to this packaging error and the resulting unintended pregnancies, LHL Attorneys Inc. is investigating a potential class action lawsuit against Bayer (Pty) Ltd, the manufacturer of YAZ PLUS. This legal action aims to hold Bayer accountable for the defective product and seek compensation for the women affected.

A class action lawsuit is a legal procedure that allows many people with similar grievances to bring a single claim to court. This offers numerous advantages:

Efficiency: It avoids the need for each individual to file a separate lawsuit, saving time and resources.
Fairness: It ensures that all affected individuals have an equal opportunity to seek justice, regardless of their financial situation.
Collective Bargaining Power: It gives the plaintiffs greater leverage when negotiating with the defendant (in this case, Bayer).

According to Angelique Pienaar, managing associate at LHL Attorneys Inc., “Birth control is essential for exercising your right to bodily autonomy and family planning. Packaging errors, such as including too many placebo pills, compromise its effectiveness, leading to unintended pregnancies, along with significant personal, financial, and emotional consequences.”

Are You Eligible to Join the Class Action?

If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible to participate in the YAZ PLUS class action lawsuit:

You purchased or used YAZ PLUS between November 9, 2023, and January 31, 2025.
You experienced an unintended pregnancy while using YAZ PLUS during this period.
Specifically, check your blister packs for batch number WEW96J.

Even if you don’t meet the above criteria but experienced other adverse effects or complications related to your use of affected YAZ PLUS pills, you should still contact LHL Attorneys Inc. to assess your potential claim.

What Compensation Can You Seek?

If the class action lawsuit is successful, affected users may be eligible for compensation for a range of damages, including:

Medical expenses related to the pregnancy and childbirth.
Financial losses, such as lost wages due to pregnancy or childcare responsibilities.
Emotional suffering caused by the unintended pregnancy.
Ongoing responsibilities tied to raising a child.

How to Take Action

If you believe you are eligible to participate in the YAZ PLUS class action lawsuit, here are the steps you should take:

Contact LHL Attorneys Inc. for a free consultation.
Check your blister packs for batch number WEW96J.
Consult your healthcare provider for medical guidance.
Retain evidence of purchase or use of YAZ PLUS, such as receipts or packaging.

Understanding the Legal Process

Angelique Pienaar explained the procedural steps involved in a class action, stating that it begins with a certification application to the court. This involves a hearing where the court assesses whether the case should advance on behalf of a defined group rather than through numerous individual claims. If successful, the court will issue a summons and initiate proceedings focused on the merits of the case. “The purpose of this process is to ensure that all affected women can pursue justice collectively, efficiently, and fairly, without each person having to carry the burden of an individual lawsuit,” she added.

The Broader Context: YAZ/Yasmin Lawsuits and Drospirenone

It’s important to note that this is not the first time YAZ and other birth control pills containing drospirenone have been linked to legal action. In the past, YAZ and Yasmin have been the subject of numerous lawsuits alleging that they caused serious side effects such as blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

Drospirenone is a synthetic progestin that is unique to YAZ, Yasmin, and a few other birth control pills. It has been associated with an increased risk of blood clots compared to older generations of progestins.

Bayer has faced thousands of lawsuits related to YAZ and Yasmin, and has paid out billions of dollars in settlements. While previous litigation primarily focused on blood clot-related injuries, the current YAZ PLUS situation highlights a different type of risk: the failure of the contraceptive to prevent pregnancy due to a manufacturing defect.

What are the side effects of Yaz Plus?

Like all medications, YAZ Plus can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Most side effects when using the birth control pill are not serious. The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods, breast pain, acne, itching, migraine, dizziness, emotional lability (sudden changes in emotional state without a reason), dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps), headache, vaginal yeast infection, depression, back pain, abdominal pain, nervousness, rash.

Public Reaction and the Importance of Accountability

The YAZ PLUS recall and potential class action lawsuit have sparked significant public reaction. Women have expressed shock and frustration over the recall, sharing personal stories of unexpected pregnancies and calling for accountability from Bayer. Many have praised LHL Attorneys for stepping in to explore collective legal recourse.

This case underscores the critical importance of accurate pharmaceutical packaging and the real-life impact when errors occur, affecting women’s health, autonomy, and life plans.

Have you been affected?

If you believe you have been affected by the YAZ PLUS recall, don’t hesitate to seek legal advice and explore your options. You may be entitled to compensation for the harm you have suffered. Contact LHL Attorneys Inc. or another qualified attorney to discuss your case and learn more about your rights.