Pharmacy

New York-Eyetech Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s sales force will help sell Pfizer Inc.'s once-daily latanoprost ophthalmic solution (Xalatan) to U.S. ophthalmologists.

Dallas-Moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution (Vigamox 0.5%, Alcon Laboratories) was approved by the FDA on April 16 for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, following a 6-month review of the drug.

Grants Pass, OR-A product using tissue-culture-grade water delivered through an ultra-fine mist claims to restore the moisture volume of the eye's tear film without disrupting the tear film's delicate structure.

The FDA is looking for more analysis of data before deciding whether to approve ISTA Pharmaceuticals' ovine hyaluronidase compound for the treatment of vitreous hemorrhage.

Clinical practice experience is confirming the results from premarketing clinical trials that showed a new over-the-counter artificial tear product (Systane, Alcon) is a novel approach for modulating the signs and symptoms of dry eye.

Maui, HI-FDA approval of Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion, 0.05%, Allergan, Irvine, CA), in December opened a new door for patients with dry eye disease by offering two important "firsts": the drug provides more than palliation of dry eye symptoms, and it targets the inflammation that is the underlying cause of dry eye disease. It may even effect a cure in some patients. The drug became commercially available early last month.

CA-The FDA approval of gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.3% (Zymar, Allergan) marks a milestone as the first fourth-generation fluoroquinolone to enter the ophthalmic market. The therapy for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of bacteria also has a unique mechanism to prevent development of antibiotic resistance, according to Allergan.

Boston-Ophthalmic solutions of azelastine HCl (Optivar, Asta Medica/Muro Pharmaceutical Inc., Tewksbury, MA) and olopatadine HCl (Patanol, Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX) both effectively inhibit the activation of normal cultured human mast cells and the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tryptase, and histamine. However, azelastine seemed to be substantially more potent for treating ocular allergy when the two drugs were compared in an in vitro study.

Boston-The mast-cell stabilizer pemirolast potassium 0.1% (Alamast, Santen) is a safe, comfortable, and effective agent for preventing and relieving ocular itching of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis throughout the allergy season, according to a pooled analysis of data from phase III trials.

Ophthalmic drops that combine immediate antihistamine relief with prophylactic care in the form of mast cell inhibition and eosinophil blockage are the mainstay of therapy for allergic conjunctivitis.

New York-The planned merger of pharmaceutical giants Pfizer Inc. and Pharmacia Corp. has passed the scrutiny of the Federal Trade Commission, provided the companies sell off certain products that raised antitrust concerns.

Irvine, CA-ISTA Pharmaceuticals is regrouping after an FDA advisory committee said the company's tests of ovine hyal-uronidase (Vitrase) failed to demonstrate sufficient statistical evidence to support its efficacy in treating vitreous hemorrhage.

Boston-Multiple intravitreal injections of rhuFab V2 (Genentech Inc., San Francisco) are well-tolerated and appear to have favorable biologic activity for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), said Jeffrey S. Heier, MD, of Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston and the Center for Eye Research, principal investigator for that trial.

Washington, DC-The Pharmaceutical Re-search and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) announced that a new online database is now available to help patients without prescription drug coverage find information about patient assistance pro-grams.

Andover, MA-The antibiotic ISV-401 (InSite Vision, Alameda, CA) in development to treat acute bacterial conjunctivitis has achieved a bacterial eradication rate of 85% by the third day of treatment and 90% by 7 to 9 days, according to a phase II clinical trial.

Rochester, NY-On the same day Bausch & Lomb celebrated FDA approval of a larger treatment range for its Technolas 217A excimer laser system, it said it would delay a year before asking the FDA to approve its Retisert drug-delivery implant.

Irvine, CA-Refractec Inc. has completed patient enrollment for its phase III clinical trial for conductive keratoplasty (CK) as a treatment for presbyopia.

Greensboro, NC-Nidek will introduce the MP-1 Micro Perimeter in the United States and globally following FDA approval of its combined perimetry and fundus imaging instrument.

This report provides a brief review of macroaneurysms, reviews two recently described applications of investigational tools that may assist in diagnosing a macroaneurysm when it is obscured by hemorrhage, reviews two approaches for the management of subhyaloid hemorrhage arising from a macroaneurysm, and discusses a rationale for the application of photocoagulation when treating selected macroaneurysms.

Cataract removal by means of phacoemulsification has improved over the last 35 years in small, incremental steps. The sequential introductions of capsulorhexis, foldable IOLs, clear corneal incisions, and topical anesthesia have made small improvements in the safety andefficacy of cataract surgery and as a whole have taken us one giant leap forward.Bimanual phacoemulsification is just another one of these small steps that may ultimately enhance our ability to offer the best surgical procedure to our patients.

Alameda, CA-InSite Vision Inc. has filed an investigational new drug application with the FDA for ISV-403, its treatment for ocular bacterial infections, under development with Bausch & Lomb.

New York-The European Commission is wrapping up its investigation into a proposed merger of pharmaceutical giants Pfizer Inc. and Pharmacia Corp.

Santa Barbara, CA-Miravant Medical Technologies will file its first new drug application for marketing approval of PhotoPoint SnET2, for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Washington, DC-The FDA is proposing a set of guidelines geared toward improving the development and availability of new drugs and medical devices.

Minneapolis-Neal A. Sher, MD, FACS, of Eye Care Associates here, is seeking candidates for a research study of an investigational drug for the treatment of dry eye after LASIK.

Washington, DC-The FDA is proposing a set of guidelines geared toward improving the development and availability of new drugs and medical devices.

Richmond, TX-CYNACON/OCuSOFT has merged the operations of EyeCatcher, a Connecticut regional distributor of ophthalmic supplies, into its own ophthalmic pharmaceuticals and supplies operations.

Precautionary measure

Novartis Ophthalmics and Valley Forge Pharmaceuticals Inc. have entered into a licensing agreement for a novel eye medication for myopia, which in phase II clinical trials reduced progression of the disease by 50% in the first 12 months of therapy.

FDA approves faster laser pulse rate