Reacting to recalls: contraceptive choice impacts of defective birth control pills in Chile

I examine the impact of an oral contraceptive recall and the news of resulting pregnancies in Chile on contraceptive choice among women aged 15–25. Using an event study approach, I compare changes in contraceptive use by women residing in areas (comunas) with a government pharmacy, who are more likely to only be offered the recalled brand of birth control pill, to women residing in comunas with private pharmacies, who would be offered a wider variety of birth control pill brands following the recalls. The results show that the recall and subsequent news coverage led to a 23.1% decrease in oral contraceptive use. There is some indication of increased use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) and increased usage of no effective form of contraception; however, these estimates are not statistically significant and thus do not provide conclusive evidence of such shifts. This study highlights the broader implications of product recalls on consumer trust and reproductive health, demonstrating how disruptions in contraceptive supply can lead to substantial shifts in usage patterns with potential long-term consequences for unintended pregnancies and public health policy.