A skin patch to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children has won approval from drug regulators, the first to replace oral medications.
The patch made by Shire Pharmaceuticals Group PLC and Noven Pharmaceuticals Inc., is designed to treat ADHD children ages 6 to 12. It will be sold under the brand name Daytrana, reports the Wall Street Journal.
The patch will be attached to a person’s skin for up to nine hours every day.
The Food and Drug Administration had previously rejected the patch because of concerns it might overmedicate children, reported the Journal. Miami-based Noven and Shire, a British company, changed the duration for wearing the patch to nine hours from 12 hours.