Wyeth glaucoma drug in short supply
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Wyethis limiting US sales of its glaucoma treatment Phospholine Iodide, 6.25mg (0.125% echothiophate iodide for ophthalmic solution) owing to a product shortage. In a letter to healthcare providers, Wyeth said it expects to be out of the product in the near future, and the outage may be prolonged owing to a delay in supplies of raw material used to make the ophthalmic. The company has initiated a limited distribution plan restricting sales to current patients only, one bottle per patient. Phospholine Iodide, which received FDA approval in 1960, is indicated for treatment of glaucoma and accommodative esotropia. Glaucoma patients using the drug should be instructed to contact their prescribing physicians to seek alternative therapies.