Why Did Germany’s Switch Committee Reject Perrigo’s OTC Daily Contraceptive Proposal?

Skepticism about the need for widening access to the progestogen-only contraceptive pill, fears of associated thrombosis risk with use and the potential cost barriers were among the many reasons for the unanimous rejection of Perrigo's Rx-to-OTC switch application for desogestrel (75μg) for oral use.

Contraceptive pill
• Source: Shutterstock

Germany’s Expert Committee for Prescription was not convinced of the value of making Perrigo’s progestogen-only contraceptive pill available OTC, according to the recently-published minutes of its 23 January meeting.

Among many concerns which led the committee to unanimously reject Perrigo’s switch application for desogestrel (75μg) for oral use was a skepticism towards a seemingly uncontroversial claim that making the drug OTC would remove a barrier to access for women

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