Bayer sees lower contraceptive pill sales - report

FRANKFURT, June 20 (Reuters) - Bayer's BAYG.DE pharmaceutical unit anticipates lower demand for its contraceptive pills amid intensifying price pressure in the economic crisis, Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel reported.

The unit, Bayer Schering Pharma, plans to cut production by a quarter this year to 180 million packing units, the newspaper said in a report which will be published in its June 21 edition.

The paper cited sources close to the company. In 2008, production had amounted to 240 million.

The Yasmin pill brand range last year was the Bayer unit's strongest earner. In first quarter 2009, Bayer reported sales of 319 million euros for the Yasmin range, which was a 7.4 year-on-year gain.

(Reporting by Frank Siebelt; editing by David Stamp)