Northern Irish company Warner Chilcott has seen its oral contraceptive Loestrin 24 Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ferrous fumarate tablets), cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration – the first to combine hormone pills with iron tablets.

"This FDA approval is a significant step forward for Warner Chilcott as we continue to sharpen our therapeutic focus on women's health and expand our product portfolio in this area," said Roger Boissonneault, Chief Executive Officer of Warner Chilcott.

In 2004, Warner Chilcott was sold to Waren Acquisitions, a company set up by leading fund managers, for £1.6 billion.