US approves new pill

The US Food & Drug Administration has given final approval to a new form of oral contraceptive - Ovcon - manufactured by Northern Ireland speciality pharmaceutical company Galen Holdings.

Ovcon 35 is marketed in the United States by Warner Chilcott, Galen's US subsidiary. The new product offers the option to chew or swallow the flavoured tablet.

Galen CEO Roger Boissonneault said the Ovcon franchise had grown by almost 30% in the last year, and says the product will improve patient compliance and enhance convenience.