FDA OKs Warner Chilcott's contraceptive

ROCKAWAY, N.J., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Warner Chilcott said late Friday its oral contraceptive Loestrin 24 FE has been approved for market.

The specialty pharmaceutical company said the Food and Drug Administration has OK'd its 24-day oral contraceptive Loestrin 24 Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ferrous fumarate tablets}.

Warner Chilcott said Loestrin 24 FE is the first birth-control pill approved in the United States that provides 24 days of active hormonal therapy and four days of iron containing placebo pills.

"This FDA approval is a significant step forward for Warner Chilcott as we continue to sharpen our therapeutic focus on women's health and expand our product portfolio in this area," said Warner Chilcott CEO Roger Boissonneault.