- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
Public Assessment Report Decentralised Procedure
LEVOSERT 20MICROGRAM/24 HOURS INTRAUTERINE DELIVERY SYSTEM
(levonorgestrel)
Procedure No: UK/H/3030/001/DC
UK Licence No: PL 30306/0438
ACTAVIS GROUP PTC ehf
1
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
LAY SUMMARY
Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
(levonorgestrel, intrauterine delivery system, 52mg (20 micrograms/24 hours))
This is a summary of the Public Assessment Report (PAR) for Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System (PL 30306/0438; UK/H/3030/001/DC, previously PL 34096/0003; UK/H/3030/001/DC). It explains how Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System was assessed and its authorisation recommended, as well as its conditions of use. It is not intended to provide practical advice on how to use Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System.
For practical information about using Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System, patients should read the package leaflet or contact their doctor or pharmacist.
Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System may be referred to as Levosert in this report.
What is Levosert and what is it used for?
Levosert is an intrauterine delivery system (IUS) for insertion in the womb. It can be used in the following ways: • as an effective method of contraception (prevention of pregnancy); • for heavy menstrual bleeding (heavy periods). Levosert is also useful for reducing menstrual blood flow, so it can be used if you suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding (periods). This is called menorrhagia.
Levosert is a ‘hybrid generic medicine’. This means that Levosert is similar to a reference medicine already authorised in the European Union (EU) and it is a locally acting product, available as a Levonorgestrel Intrauterine delivery system (IUS).
The reference medicine is Mirena, 52 mg – 20 µg/24h Intrauterine Delivery System, which was first granted in Finland to Bayer Schering Pharma Oy on 05 May 1990. Mirena is an intrauterine system (IUS) placed inside the womb (uterus) where it slowly releases the hormone levonorgestrel. It can be used in the following three ways: 1. As an effective long-term and reversible method of contraception. 2. For reducing menstrual blood flow, if the patient suffers from heavy periods (heavy menstrual bleeding).
It can be used for contraception and heavy menstrual bleeding until it is removed or up to a maximum of 5 years.
How does Levosert work?
Levosert prevents pregnancy by controlling the monthly development of the womb lining so that it is not thick enough for pregnancy to occur; by making the normal mucus in the opening to the womb (the cervical canal) thicker so that the sperm cannot get through to fertilise the egg; by preventing the release of eggs (ovulation) in some women. There are also local effects on the lining of the womb caused by the presence of the T-shaped frame.
The hormone in Levosert, levonorgestrel, acts by controlling the monthly development of the womb lining, making it thinner, so that there is less bleeding every month.
2
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
How is Levosert used?
Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System is fitted by a doctor or specially trained nurse into the uterus (womb) where it slowly releases the hormone levonorgestrel over a period of 3 years or until it is removed.
Please read section 3 of the Patient Information Leaflet (available on the MHRA website) for detailed information on dosing recommendations, the route of administration, and the duration of treatment.
Levosert can only be obtained with a prescription.
What benefits of Levosert have been shown in studies?
As Levosert is a hybrid application and is considered to be therapeutically equivalent, to the reference product Mirena, the benefits and risks are taken as being the same as those of the reference medicine.
What are the possible side effects from Levosert?
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. With Levosert, side effects are most common during the first months after the system is fitted and decrease as time goes on.
Severe pain or fever developing shortly after insertion may mean that the patient has a severe infection which must be treated immediately. In rare cases very severe infection (sepsis) can occur. The doctor should be contacted immediately if you experience such side effects (see Patient Information Leaflet, Section 2 Warnings and Precautions).
Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 women) side effects can include: - menstrual changes. You might experience spotting, shorter or longer periods, painful periods. Though Levosert usually achieves a significant reduction in menstrual blood loss in 3 to 6 months of treatment, you may have an increase in bleeding, usually in the first 2 to 3 months, before a reduction in blood loss is achieved. Periods can totally disappear. If a significant reduction in blood loss is not achieved after 3 to 6 months, alternative treatments should be considered.
- ovarian cysts. They are fluid-filled sacs in the ovary.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 women) side effects can include: - bloating or swelling of your legs or ankles; - weight gain; - depression, nervousness or other mood changes; - headache; - abdominal, pelvic or back pain; - feeling sick (nausea); - spots (acne); - painful periods; - increased vaginal discharge; - inflammation of the neck of the womb (cervicitis); - tender, painful breasts; or - Levosert coming out by itself.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 women) side effects can include: - genital infections that may cause: vaginal itching; pain on passing urine; or lower abdominal (tummy) pain from inflammation of the womb, ovaries or Fallopian tubes;
- increased growth of hair on the face and body; - hair loss; or - itchy skin (pruritus).
3
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 women) side effects can include: - reduced sex drive; - migraine; - bloated abdomen; - rashes, itching, eczema; or - the wall of the womb torn when Levosert is fitted.
Why is Levosert approved?
It was concluded that, in accordance with EU requirements, Levosert has been shown to have comparable quality and to be therapeutically equivalent to Mirena 52mg - 20 micrograms/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System (Schering). It was therefore considered that, as for Mirena 52mg - 20 micrograms/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System (Schering), the benefits outweigh the identified risks and the grant of the Marketing Authorisation was recommended.
What measures are being taken to ensure the safe and effective use of Levosert?
A Risk Management Plan has been developed to ensure that Levosert is used as safely as possible. Based on this plan, safety information has been included in the Summary of Product Characteristics and the package leaflet for Levosert, including the appropriate precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients.
Known side effects are continuously monitored. Furthermore new safety signals reported by patients/healthcare professionals will be monitored/reviewed continuously as well.
Other information about Levosert.
A Marketing Authorisation (Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System (PL 34096/0003; UK/H/3030/001/DC) was granted in the UK on 28 December 2012.
Subsequent to a Change of Ownership procedure, the Marketing Authorisation (PL 30306/0438; UK/H/3030/001/DC) was granted in the UK to Actavis Group PTC ehf on 18 September 2013.
The full PAR for Levosert follows this summary. For more information about treatment with Levosert read the package leaflet, or contact your doctor or pharmacist.
This summary was last updated in December 2014.
4
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Module 1: Information about initial procedure Module 2: Summary of Product Characteristics Module 3: Patient Information Leaflets Module 4: Labelling
Page 6 Page7 Page 8 Page 9
- Page 11
- Module 5: Scientific Discussion
I Introduction II About the Product III Scientific Overview and Discussion III.1 Quality aspects III.2 III.3
Non-clinical aspects Clinical aspects
IV Overall conclusions
Module 6 Annex 1
- Steps taken after initial procedure
- Page 21
Page 22
5
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
Module 1
Information about the initial procedure
Product Name
Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
Hybrid, Article 10(3) Levonorgestrel
Type of Application Active Substance Form
Intrauterine delivery system 52mg levonorgestrel
Strength
Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA, rue Saint Georges 5-7, Liege, B-400, Belgium
MA Holder
UK
Reference Member State (RMS) Concerned Member States (CMS)
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia
UK/H/3030/001/DC
Procedure Number Timetable
Day 210 – 14 November 2012
6
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
Module 2
Summary of Product Characteristics
The current approved UK version of the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for this product is available on the MHRA website.
7
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
Module 3
Patient Information Leaflet
The current approved UK version of the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for this product is available on the MHRA website.
8
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
Module 4 Labelling
9
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
10
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
Module 5
Scientific discussion during the initial procedure
- I
- INTRODUCTION
Based on the review of the data on quality, safety and efficacy, the member states considered that the application for Levosert 20 microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System (PL 34096/0003; UK/H/3030/001/DC) could be approved. This application was submitted via the Decentralised Procedure, with the UK as Reference Member State (RMS), and Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia as Concerned Member States (CMS).
This is a prescription-only medicine, indicated for heavy menstrual bleeding. This was an application made under the Decentralised Procedure (DCP), according to Article 10(3) of Directive 2001/83/EC, as amended, claiming to be a hybrid medicinal product of the originator product Mirena 52mg – 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Device, which was initially granted in Finland to Bayer Schering Pharma Oy in May 1990.
Levosert is a levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine System (LNG-IUS) containing 52 mg of levonorgestrel in a cylindrical-shaped silastic reservoir. The reservoir is mounted on the vertical arm of a T-shaped polyethylene frame and is covered with a release-rate-controlling polydimethylsiloxane membrane. This drug delivery system releases LNG at an initial release-rate of approximately 20 µg per day in vivo. After insertion in the uterus, the product will release LNG directly and continuously for up to five years.
No new non-clinical studies were conducted, which is acceptable given that this is a hybrid application cross-referring to a product that has been licensed for over 10 years.
With the exception of the bioequivalence study, no new clinical studies were conducted and none are required for this application. A single study was submitted to show the therapeutic equivalence of the proposed product to Mirena 52mg - 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Device (Bayer SA, Belgium).
The RMS has been assured that acceptable standards of Good Manufacturing Practice are in place for these product types at all sites responsible for the manufacture, assembly and batch release of this product.
The RMS and CMS considered that the application could be approved with the end of procedure (Day 210) on 14 November 2012. After a subsequent national phase, the licence was granted in the UK on 28 December 2012.
Subsequent to a Change of Ownership procedure, the Marketing Authorisation (PL 30306/0438; UK/H/3030/001/DC) was granted in the UK to Actavis Group PTC ehf on 18 September 2013.
11
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
- II.
- ABOUT THE PRODUCT
- Name of the product in the Reference Member State
- Levosert 20microgram/24 hours
Intrauterine Delivery System
Levonorgestrel
Name(s) of the active substance(s) (INN)
Pharmacotherapeutic classification (ATC code)
Intrauterine contraceptives (G02 BA) 52mg levonorgestrel UK/H/3030/001/DC
Pharmaceutical form and strength(s) Reference numbers for the Mutual Recognition Procedure Reference Member State
United Kingdom
- Member States concerned
- Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia
PL 34096/0003
Marketing Authorisation Number(s)
- Name and address of the authorisation holder
- Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA, rue Saint
Georges 5-7, Liege, B-4000, Belgium
12
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
- III
- SCIENTIFIC OVERVIEW AND DISCUSSION
III.1 QUALITY ASPECTS
- S.
- Active substance – Levonorgestrel
- rINN:
- Levonorgestrel
Chemical name: Structure:
13β-ethyl-17β-hydroxy-18,19-dinor-17α-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one
Molecular formula: C21H28O2 Molecular weight: Appearance: Solubility:
312.45 g.mol-1 A white to almost-white crystalline powder Practically insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in methylene chloride, slightly soluble in alcohol
Levonorgestrel is the subject of a European Pharmacopoeia monograph. With the exception of the packaging and the retest period, all aspects of the manufacture and control of the active substance is covered by a European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines Certificate of Suitability.
Suitable specifications have been provided for all packaging used. The primary packaging has been shown to comply with current guidelines concerning contact with food.
Appropriate stability data have been generated supporting a suitable retest period when stored in the proposed packaging.
- P.
- Medicinal Product
Other Ingredients
Other ingredients consist of the pharmaceutical excipients, namely silicon base, tetra-n-propyl silicate, stannous octoate, polydimethylsiloxane elastomer, polydimethylsiloxane tubing, polyethylene T-frame (with 20-24% barium sulphate), polypropylene thread, copper phthalocyanine blue.
All excipients comply with suitable in-house specifications. Suitable batch analysis data have been provided for all excipients, showing compliance with their respective specifications.
None of the excipients are sourced from animal or human origin. No genetically modified organisms (GMO) have been used in the preparation of this product.
Pharmaceutical Development
The objective of the development programme was to formulate a globally acceptable, stable and bioequivalent product to the originator product Mirena 52mg – 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Device (Bayer Schering Pharma Oy, Finland).
A satisfactory account of the pharmaceutical development has been provided. Comparative physico-chemical characteristics have been provided for the proposed product versus the originator product.
13
- PAR Levosert 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Delivery System
- UK/H/3030/001/DC
Manufacturing Process
Satisfactory batch formulae have been provided for the manufacture of the finished product. The manufacturing process has been validated using industrial-scale batches and has shown satisfactory results.
Finished Product Specification
The finished product specification proposed is acceptable. Test methods have been described and have been adequately validated. Batch data have been provided and comply with the release specifications. Certificates of analysis have been provided for all working standards used.
Container-Closure System
The product is individually packed with an inserter device into a thermoformed blister (polyester) package with a peelable lid (TYVEK-Polyethylene).
Satisfactory specifications and Certificates of Analysis have been provided for all packaging components. All primary packaging complies with current European regulations.
Stability of the product
Stability studies were performed in accordance with current guidelines on batches of finished product packed in the packaging proposed for marketing. The data from these studies support a shelf-life of 48 months, with the storage conditions “Store in the original package.”
Bioequivalence/bioavailability
A single study was submitted to show the therapeutic equivalence of the proposed product to Mirena 52mg - 20microgram/24 hours Intrauterine Device (Bayer SA, Belgium).