Advertisers' Index I Liste des annonceurs

ADVANCED MEDICAL OPTICS Intraocular lens .......................... OBC

ALCON CANADA INC. Artificial tears ............................. 698 DuoVisc ............................ .787,827 Intraocular lens ............ IFC, 691, 693, 695, 697 Lens removal system .................. .794,795 Travatan ............................ .796, 826 Vigamox ............................. 792,824

ALLERGAN CANADA INC. Combigan ........................ 689,818, 819

BAUSCH & LOMB Intraocular lens .......................... .lBC

COHERENT -AMT Ophthalmic laser equipment ................ .793

INNOVA MEDICAL OPHTHALMICS Retina tomograph ......................... 684

LABTICIAN OPHTHALMICS, INC. Corporate ............................... 788

MERCK FROSST CANADA LTD. Cosopt ......................... ~94,822,823

NOVARTIS OPHTHALMICS Visudyne ............................. 680, 825

OCULO-PLASTIK, INC. Oculoplastic products ...................... 830

PFIZER CANADA INC. Corporate ............................... 699 Eye drop delivery aid ....................... 696 Xalacom ......................... 692, 820, 821 Xalatan ............................. .700, 817

SIFI CANADA Artificial tears ............................. 679

F Y. Eye continued .from p. 832

reclassification of chloramphenicol eye drops, used in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, from pre­scription only to over the counter. The reclassifica­tion follows consultation with the Committee on Safety of Medicines, which gathered responses from pharmaceutical groups, medical bodies, and other invested parties. Of 80 responses, 51 favoured reclas­sification. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, although in favour, raised concerns over the possibil­ity of misdiagnosis and suggested a limit of 5 days of treatment, with a referral to a doctor if no improve­ment occurs after 2 days. The College also recom­mended preventing over-the-counter use in contact lens wearers and patients with previous eye surgery. The MHRA concluded, "Although some reports have suggested an association between the topical use of chloramphenicol in the eye and aplastic anaemia, its relationship has not been proven."l In their June 8 press release, they stated, "Being able to purchase this medicine in a pharmacy will therefore enable patients to take control of their own health care by accessing treatment straight away without having to spend time visiting their doctor."2

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, UK Department of Health. Available: http://medicines.mhra.gov.uk

1. Consultation on the Reclassification of Chloramphenicol Eye Drops from paM To P. Available: http://www.mhra.gov.ukl home/ groups/ pl-a/ documents/ publication/ con007839. pdf

2. Antibiotic Eye Drops Available Over the Counter [press release]. Available: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg? IdcService=SS_ G ET _PAG E&useSecondary=true& ssDocName=CON20 14984&ss TargetNodeId=389

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