BMJ Analysis: Is an EMA review on hormonal contraception and thrombosis needed?

Source: BMJ Area: News In February 2013, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced a review of the safety of combined oral contraceptives, particularly third and fourth generation drugs, including Diane-35(cyproterone acetate 2mg, ethinylestradiol 35mcg) and its generics. The authors of this BMJ Analysis note that third and fourth generation oral contraceptives are overprescribed and that the safest oral contraceptive is one that contains the lowest tolerable dose of ethinylestradiol (lowest dose that prevents breakthrough bleeding; 30mcg) together with the second generation progestogen, levonorgestrel, which is also adequate for the treatment of acne or hirsutism. Therefore, they we can see no reason why lengthy evaluations, let alone new studies, are needed, as there is already sufficient evidence available to recommend the second generation pill with the lowest tolerable oestrogen dose for all indications.
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Source Type: news