Law Firm Explores Class Action After YAZ PLUS Packaging Error
South African women who experienced unintended pregnancies after taking YAZ PLUS oral contraceptives may soon have a legal avenue for compensation. LHL Attorneys Inc. is exploring a class action lawsuit against Bayer (Pty) Ltd following a major packaging error that compromised the contraceptive’s effectiveness.
The incident stems from a specific batch of YAZ PLUS pills distributed from November 2023, which prompted a Class II recall by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) on November 21, 2024.
What Went Wrong With YAZ PLUS?
Blister packs from batch number WEW96J contained 24 placebo (hormone-free) tablets and only four active hormone pills, a reversal of the intended 24 active and four placebo design. Experts describe the error as one that “drastically undermined contraceptive efficacy”, leaving many women at risk of unintended pregnancy.
In a statement, Angelique Pienaar, managing associate at LHL Attorneys Inc., stressed the broader impact:
“Birth control is essential for exercising your right to bodily autonomy and family planning. Packaging errors like this compromise its effectiveness, leading to unintended pregnancies, along with significant personal, financial, and emotional consequences.”
Legal Options Under South African Law
The law firm points to the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, which allows manufacturers to be held accountable for defective products. Women affected may be entitled to compensation covering medical expenses, financial losses, emotional distress, and ongoing responsibilities linked to raising a child.
Pienaar noted that seven women have already approached LHL Attorneys after experiencing unintended pregnancies during the affected period. She anticipates more cases emerging as awareness spreads.
“We expect more women to come forward as they connect their experiences to the recall notice,” she said, adding that claims may also extend to other adverse effects related to YAZ PLUS.
How a Class Action Works
Pienaar explained that the process begins with a certification application to the court, which decides whether the case can proceed on behalf of a group rather than through multiple individual lawsuits. If approved, the court issues a summons and the case moves to the merits phase, where the claims are examined collectively.
“This approach allows affected women to pursue justice efficiently and fairly, without each person carrying the burden of an individual lawsuit,” Pienaar said.
What Women Should Do Now
LHL Attorneys urges women who purchased or used YAZ PLUS between November 9, 2023, and January 31, 2025, and who experienced unintended pregnancies to contact the firm for a free consultation.
Consumers are also advised to:
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Check their blister packs for batch number WEW96J.
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Consult their healthcare provider for medical guidance.
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Retain evidence of purchase or use for potential claims.
As of publication, Bayer had not responded to requests for comment.
Source: IOL
Featured Image: Pexels
