Bayer HealthCare’s new contraceptive patch receives go-ahead for EU launch

Bayer HealthCare has announced that it has successfully concluded the decentralised European registration procedure for its new contraceptive patch product.

Health authorities in each of the EU member states will now need to grant national approvals for the gestodene/ethinylestradiol patch, which is small, round, transparent and contains only a low dose of its active ingredients.

To be applied once a week either to the abdomen, buttocks or outer upper arm, it delivers a steady, continuous dose of hormones over the seven-day application period that is similar to comparable orally-administered products.

Data from clinical studies involving 4,200 women worldwide show that the patch is an efficacious contraceptive with a good safety profile.

Dr Jorg Moller, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "The new contraceptive patch will provide women with an additional choice of a low-dose contraceptive."

This comes after the company expanded its capabilities in this field of personal health by acquiring birth control specialist Conceptus last year.