Janssen introduces 1st transdermal contraceptive patch for Pinoy women

Janssen Pharmaceutical, a division of Johnson & Johnson, introduced yesterday the first transdermal contraceptive patch for Filipino women.

EVRA (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol) transdermal skin patch is the first contraceptive patch that is applied directly to the skin and provides protection for a period of one week.

It provides hormones through the skin into the bloodstream which then prevents pregnancy by suppressing ovulation.

Because of it is so thin, EVRA can be worn unnoticed under clothing.

It can be applied either on the buttocks, abdomen, upper torso or upper outer arm.

It is worn for one week at a time and changed on the same day of the week for three consecutive weeks.

The fourth week is patch-free.

The patch is water-resistant and will stay on even when bathing, swimming or during heavy perspiration.

According to Julieta Bolano-Gener, the EVRA is also being introduced in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

Janssen, Gener said, markets such products as Imodium, Motilium and Nizoral.

Janssen’s annual sales of pills and injectibles in the Philippines amounts to P480 million.

Although it has no sales projection for its contraceptive patch, Gener said that the company hopes to reach 3,000 to 4,000 women this year.

Janssen also markets pharmaceutical products in several therapeutic categories including analgesia, neurology, psychiatry, oncology, gastroenterology and women’s health.

Its total sales last year amounted to P1.1 billion.