Contraceptives and other drugs could be administered through an earring, using a method invented by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
The researchers have developed a small contraceptive patch that sticks to an earring back, as well as other jewellery such as rings, necklaces or wristwatches.
With the drug absorbed through skin contact, the jewellery offers a discrete method of contraception that might prove more convenient and attractive to some users than existing options.

"Pharmaceutical jewellery introduces a novel delivery method that may make taking contraceptives more appealing," said engineer Mark Prausnitz.
"Because putting on jewellery may already be part of a woman's daily routine, this technique may facilitate compliance with the drug regimen. The more contraceptive options that are available, the more likely it is that the needs of individual women can be met." Prausnitz and his Georgia Tech colleagues Mohammad Mofidfar and Laura O'Farrell published their research in the Journal of Controlled Release in March.

While there are already contraceptive patches on the market, the team have engineered theirs to be small enough to be integrated into jewellery and therefore hidden from sight.
Their invention has a triple layer: one impermeable adhesive layer that sticks to the jewellery, one semipermeable layer that sticks to the skin, and the drug in solid form sandwiched in between.
While almost any item of jewellery could hold...