Sayana Press launched in UK as a self administered injectable contraceptive- Pfizer

Pfizer has launched its contraceptive injection Sayana Press (medroxyprogesterone acetate), a lower-dose formulation and presentation of Depo-Provera, in the UK, offering the convenience of a long-acting procedure. Sayana Press is the first injectable contraceptive in the UK available for administration via self-injection. This new method of administration is also approved or pending local approval in additional European Union markets (Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands).

This launch follows the recent approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of an update to the Sayana Press label, adding the option for self-injection by women when considered appropriate by a healthcare professional. The drug has European approval through the decentralised procedure with the UK as reference state.

Comment: A study to assess the bone mineral density (BMD) effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate IM (Depo-Provera, DMPA) in adolescent females showed that its use was associated with a significant decline in BMD from baseline. In the small number of women who were followed-up, mean BMD recovered to around baseline values by 1- 3 years after discontinuing treatment. In adolescents, Sayana Press may be used, but only after other methods of contraception have been discussed with the patients and considered to be unsuitable or unacceptable. In women of all ages, careful re-evaluation of the risks and benefits of treatment should be carried out in those who wish to continue use for more than 2 years. In particular, in women with significant lifestyle and/or medical risk factors for osteoporosis, other methods of contraception should be considered prior to use of Sayana Press.