item details
NameSerial 28 contraceptive pill
ProductionThe British Drug Houses Ltd.; manufacturer(s); circa 1975; United Kingdom
Classificationoral contraceptives, personalia
Materialsplastic, cardboard, foil, paper
DimensionsOverall: 100mm (width), 84mm (height), 13mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH023809
Credit lineGift of Dame Margaret Sparrow, 2011
Overview
The '28' in Serial 28 refers to the fact that seven placebo pills were taken instead of taking a break. The reasoning is that women were less likely to forget pills if they routinely took one each day.
Serial 28 was withdrawn in December 1975 because it contained the progestogen megestrol acetate which was linked to breast cancer in animal studies.