First preservative-free ophthalmic prostaglandin for glaucoma now available in the UK
Posted Under: Glaucoma
First preservative-free ophthalmic prostaglandin for glaucoma now available in the UK
Hoddesdon, 3rd September 2009 — ‘Saflutan’TM?(tafluprost), the first preservative-free ophthalmic prostaglandin in the UK, is now available for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in the most common type of glaucoma (open angle glaucoma) and in ocular hypertension. Treatment with tafluprost has been shown to provide sustained IOP control with a clinical study showing a 33% mean reduction in IOP. Unlike tafluprost, all other prostaglandins currently available for glaucoma contain a preservative that can cause adverse reactions in some patients including burning, itching, tearing or dry-eye sensation.
According to a multinational Phase III study involving 533 patients, tafluprost provided significant reductions in IOP (7.0mmHg at 24 months).
Glaucoma is a chronic condition affecting up to half-a-million people in the UK and 2% of the population over the age of 40. Approximately 67% of people with this condition are unaware that they have it.5 It is the second largest cause of avoidable sight loss in the UK after age-related macular degeneration.5 If detected early and treated appropriately, the prospects of avoiding further sight loss are excellent.6, However, treatment compliance is a significant problem in glaucoma7 – up to one third of people with glaucoma risk losing their sight because they stop taking their medication7. This may be due to a number of reasons including the absence of symptoms in early glaucoma7, treatment regime7, and the side effects which may be associated with the use of preserved eyedrops3.
David Wright, Chief Executive of the International Glaucoma Association commented: “The prostaglandin and prostamide analogue eye drops used for the control of intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma represent the greatest advance in glaucoma treatment of recent years. The introduction of Saflutan is a particularly welcome addition to the range of these most powerful medications because its preservative-free formulation will allow those patients who are allergic to preservatives to benefit from the control of IOP offered by this class of medication that was hitherto unavailable”.
Tafluprost is a novel prostaglandin with high affinity and high selectivity for the Prostaglandin F receptor (FP). Activation of this receptor results in increased outflow of aqueous humour, thereby reducing intraocular pressure in the eye. Prostaglandin analogues are recommended as a first-line treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.6
In uncontrolled glaucoma or ocular hypertension, tafluprost may be used in combination with beta-blockers.1 A Phase III study of 185 patients showed that the use of tafluprost as an adjunctive therapy to the beta blocker timolol, is effective and generally well tolerated.
Merck Sharp and Dohme has been committed to the field of ophthalmology for over 50 years, with the introduction of its first glaucoma therapy in 1958 and the launch of the first topical beta-blocker for the treatment of glaucoma in 1978.
‘Saflutan’TM is a Trademark of Merck and Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA.
Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited (MSD) is the UK subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA, a leading research-based pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of innovative pharmaceutical products to improve human health.
For more information, please contact:
Cendrine Banerjee-Quetel / Madeleine Brady
Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited
Tel: 01992 452 699 / 697
Email:
cendrine_banerjee-quetel@merck.com
madeleine_brady@merck.com
Monica Shuman / Dina Patel
Reynolds-MacKenzie
Tel : 020 7031 4405 / 4406
Mob : 07956 532508 / 07813 825542
Email : monica@reynoldsmackenze.com
dina@reynoldsmackenzie.com
References
1. Saflutan (tafluprost). Summary of Product Characteristics. Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd, 2009
2. Papadia M, Traverso CE, Ropo A, et al. A pilot phase II study on the extent, duration of action and stability of the IOP lowering effect of tafluprost 0.0015%, a novel prostaglandin analogue, as compared to latanoprost 0.005%. Presented as a poster at the annual meeting of The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) on 30th April 2006
3. Baudouin C. Detrimental effect of eye drops: implications for the treatment of glaucoma. Acta Ophthalmologica 2008; 86:716-726
4. Uusitalo HMT, Pillunat LE, Baudouin C, et al. Phase III, 24-month study investigating the efficacy and safety of tafluprost vs latanoprost in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Poster 529 presented at the European Association of Vision and Eye Research (EVER) congress, 3rd October 2008
5. Burr JM, Mowatt G, Hernández R, et al. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening for open angle glaucoma: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technology Assessment 2007;11: No. 41
6. Diagnosis and management of chronic open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. National Collaborating Centre for Acute Care, commissioned by The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 2009. Available at: www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG85FullGuideline.pdf. Accessed July 2009
7. RNIB Campaign Report 27. Don’t Blame the Patient! published January 2007: Available at: http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_dontstopthedrops.hcsp. Accessed July 2009
8. Brasnu E, Brignole-Baudouin F, Riancho L, et al. In vitro effects of preservative-free tafluprost and preserved latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost in a conjunctival epithelial cell line. Current Eye Research 2008; 33:303-312
9. Bean GW, Camras CB. Commercially available prostaglandin analogs for the reduction of intraocular pressure: similarities and differences. Survey of Ophthalmololgy 2008; 53:S69-S84
10. Egorov E, Ropo A. Adjunctive use of tafluprost with timolol provides additive effects for reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. European Journal of Ophthalmology 2009;19(2):214-222
