Yaz approved in the Netherlands

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, a unit of German drugmaker Bayer HealthCare, says that the Dutch regulatory authorities have approved the firm's low-dose contraceptive Yaz (3mg drospirenone20mcg ethinyl estradiol). The product has been cleared as both an oral contraceptive and as a treatment for moderate acne in women wishing to use such contraception. The Netherlands will serve as the reference member state for the European mutual recognition procedure. Since gaining approval in the USA last April, the product has become that country's fastest growing brand of oral contraceptive, where it is also cleared for use in premenstrual dysphoric disorder and moderate acne.